2014 Ram 2500 Diesel Supplement

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES................202
▫Manual Transmission — If Equipped.......203
▫Automatic Transmission — If Equipped.....203
▫Keyless Enter-N-Go™ — If Equipped.......203
▫Extreme Cold Weather..................207
▫Normal Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold
Air Temperature Above 66° F (19° C)........208
▫Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature 0°F To 66°F (–18°C to 19°C).....209
▫Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 0°F (-18°C)............211▫Starting Fluids........................213
NORMAL OPERATION — DIESEL ENGINE . . .214
▫Cold Weather Precautions................214
▫Engine Idling........................217
▫Stopping The Engine...................218
▫Idle Shutdown........................220
▫Programmable Maximum Vehicle Speed
(Chassis Cab Only)....................220
▫Operating Precautions..................220
4

▫Cooling System Tips — Automatic
Transmission.........................221
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .222
▫Block Heater Usage....................222
DIESEL EXHAUST BRAKE
(ENGINE BRAKING)....................223
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED...........................225
▫Key Ignition Park Interlock...............227
▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .227
▫Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped...........................227
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . .239
▫Shifting.............................240▫Downshifting........................242
▫Reverse Shifting......................243
POWER TAKE OFF OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED (CHASSIS CAB ONLY)..........244
▫Stationary Mode......................244
▫Mobile Mode.........................246
▫Power Take Off — Aftermarket Installation . . .247
ENGINE RUNAWAY....................247
FUEL REQUIREMENTS..................248
▫Fuel Specifications....................249
▫Bio-Diesel Fuel Requirements.............250
ADDING FUEL — 2500/3500 DIESEL
MODELS............................253
200 STARTING AND OPERATING

ADDING FUEL — CHASSIS CAB MODELS . . .256
▫Fuel Filler Cap.......................256
▫Avoid Using Contaminated Fuel...........257
▫Bulk Fuel Storage — Diesel Fuel..........257
▫Diesel Exhaust Fluid Storage..............258
▫Adding Diesel Exhaust Fluid.............258
TRAILER TOWING.....................261
▫Common Towing Definitions.............262▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............265
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................266
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............266
▫Towing Requirements..................267
▫Towing Tips.........................277
DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID.................279
▫System Overview......................279
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 201

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.
•When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
ignition is in the OFF position, remove the key fob
from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous 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 transmission gear selector. Do not leave the
key fob in or near the vehicle (or in a location
accessible to children), and do not leave the igni-
tion (of a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-N-
Go™) in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
202 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 transmission in the 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.
Keyless Enter-N-Go™ — If Equipped
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the Remote
Start/Keyless Enter-N-Go™ Key Fob
is in the passenger compartment.
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pressing the
ENGINE START/STOP button once.
3. The system takes over and attempts to start the
vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will
disengage automatically after 10 seconds.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 203

4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to
the engine starting, remove your foot from the brake
pedal and press the button again.
NOTE:
•Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
•Under cold weather conditions, the engine may not
immediately crank if theWait To Starttelltale is
illuminated. This is normal operation. For vehicles
equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go™, the vehicle will
automatically crank when theWait To Starttime has
elapsed. See the sectionStarting Procedure Engine
Manifold Air Temperature 0°F to 66°F (18° C to 19°C)
for more information.To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE START/STOP
Button
1. Place the shift lever/gear selector in PARK, then press
and release the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever/gear selector is not in PARK, the
ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two
seconds or three short presses in a row with the
vehicle speed above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine
will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain
in the ACC position until the shift lever/gear selector
is in PARK and the button is pressed twice to the OFF
position. If the shift lever/gear selector is not in PARK
and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pressed
once, the EVIC (if equipped) will display a “Vehicle
Not In Park” message and the engine will remain
running. Never leave a vehicle out of the PARK
position, or it could roll.
204 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or RUN
(engine not running) position and the transmission is in
PARK, the system will automatically time out after 30
minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.
ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With
Driver ’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or
NEUTRAL Position)
The ENGINE START/STOP button operates similar to an
ignition switch. It has three positions, OFF, ACC, RUN.
To change the ignition switch positions without starting
the vehicle and use the accessories follow these steps:
1. Starting with the ignition in the OFF position:
2. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button once to
change the ignition to the ACC position.3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time
to change the ignition to the RUN position.
4. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time
to return the ignition to the OFF position.
Keyless Enter-N-Go™ 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.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 205

Follow the steps in the “Normal Starting” procedure
except:
1. Pushing the engine start button with the driver ’s foot
on the brake will move the ignition from OFF or ACC
to RUN, and will illuminate theWait To Starttelltale.
The engine will not immediately crank, this is normal
operation.
2. The “Wait To Starttelltale will remain on for a period
of time that varies depending on the engine tempera-
ture.
3. While theWait to Starttelltale is on, the EVIC will
additionally display a gauge or bar whose initial
length represents the fullWait to Starttime period.
Its length will decrease until it disappears when the
Wait to Starttime has elapsed.CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START engine before you drain the water from
the fuel filters to avoid engine damage. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Sepa-
rator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
4. After the engine “Wait To Start” telltale goes off, the
engine will automatically crank.
CAUTION!
The engine may automatically crank when the “Wait
To Start” time has elapsed. To abort the automatic
starting process, ensure the driver ’s foot is fully
removed from the brake pedal prior to pushing the
START/STOP button to cycle the ignition off.
206 STARTING AND OPERATING