2012 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab engine

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).
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 27

•Engine Power Reduced Up To 2 Min (Minutes)
During Warmup- This message will display during
start up when the ambient temperature is -25° F
(-32° C) and below.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Messages –
Chassis Cab Only
Your vehicle will begin displaying warning messages
when the DEF level reaches a driving range of approxi-
mately 1,000 miles (1 609 km). If the following warning
message sequence is ignored, your vehicle will not start
unless DEF is added.
•Low DEF Refill Soon – This message will display
when the low level is reached, during vehicle start up,
and with increased frequency during vehicle opera-
tion. It will be accompanied by a single chime. Ap-
proximately 6 gallons (23 Liters) of DEF is required to
refill the tank when this message is initially displayed.
•Refill DEF Engine Will Not Restart In XXX Miles –
This message will continuously display if the “Low
DEF Refill Soon” message is ignored, and the fre-
quency of occurance of the chime will increase unless
up to 2 gallons (7.5 Liters) of DEF is added to the tank.
The engine will not restart if the mileage counter
reaches zero.
•Refill DEF Engine Will Not Start – This message will
continuously display when the counter reaches zero,
and will be accompanied by a periodic chime. The
engine will not start after it has been turned off unless
up to 2.5 gallons (9.5 Liters) of DEF is added to the
tank.
NOTE: A minimum of up to 2.5 gallons (9.5 Liters) may
be required to restart the engine. Although the vehicle
will continue to operate while this warning message is
initially displayed, the engine will not restart the next
time the vehicle is shut off.
28 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fault Warning
Messages – Chassis Cab Only
There are three different messages which are displayed if
the vehicle detects that the DEF system has been filled
with a fluid other than DEF, has experienced component
failures, or when tampering has been detected. The
vehicle will not start if the DEF system is not serviced
within less than 250 miles (402 km) of the fault being
detected.
When the DEF system needs to be serviced the following
warnings will display:
•Service DEF System – See Dealer— This message
will display when the fault is initially detected, each
time the vehicle is started, and periodically during
driving. The message will be accompanied by a single
chime. We recommend you drive to your nearest
authorized dealer and have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible.
•Service DEF System Engine Will Not Start In
200 Miles – See Dealer — This message will display if
the DEF system has not been serviced after the “Ser-
vice DEF System – See Dealer” message is displayed.
This message will continuously display until the mile-
age counter reaches zero, and will be accompanied by
a periodic chime. The message will continue to count-
down until it reaches zero unless the vehicle is ser-
viced. We recommend you drive to your nearest
authorized dealer and have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
NOTE: Under some circumstances this mileage counter
may start with a value of less than 200 miles (322 km). For
example, if recurring faults are detected in a time interval
of less than 40 hours, the counter may restart at the value
where it stopped when a previous fault was temporarily
remedied, or at a minimum of 50 miles (80 km).
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 29

•Service DEF System Engine Will Not Start – See
Dealer— This message will continuously display
when the mileage counter reaches zero, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. The engine will not
restart after it has been turned off, your vehicle will
require towing, see your authorized dealer for service.
NOTE: When this message is displayed, the engine will
no longer start after it has been turned off.
Vehicle Information (Customer Information
Features)
Press and release the UP or DOWN button until “Vehicle
Info” displays in the EVIC and press the SELECT button.
Press the UP and DOWN button to scroll through the
available information displays, then press SELECT to
display anyone of the following choices.
•DEF Fluid Level – Chassis Cab Only
Displays the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) fluid level.
•Coolant Temp
Displays the actual coolant temperature.
•Oil Pressure
Displays the actual oil pressure.
•Trans Temperature
Displays the actual transmission sump temperature.
•Engine Hours
Displays the hours of engine operation.
30 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures ..................... 34
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ........ 34
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ...... 34
▫ Extreme Cold Weather .................. 35
▫
Normal Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold
Air Temperature Above 66°F (19°C)
......... 35
▫ Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air
Temperature 0°F To 66°F (–18°C To 19°C) .... 37
▫ Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 0°F (-18°C) ............ 38▫
Starting Fluids ....................... 40
 Normal Operation – Diesel Engine .......... 41
▫ Cold Weather Precautions ............... 41
▫ Engine Idling ........................ 44
▫ Stopping The Engine ................... 45
▫ Idle Shutdown (Chassis Cab Only) ......... 46
▫ Programmable Maximum Vehicle Speed
(Chassis Cab Only) .................... 46
▫ Snow Plow Mode ..................... 47
4

▫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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 35