2015 Ram 1500 low oil pressure

2. While theWait To Start” telltale is on, the EVIC/DID
will additionally display a gauge or bar whose initial
length represents the full Wait To Starttime period.
Its length will decrease until it disappears when the
Wait To Start time 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.
3. After the “Wait To Start” telltale goes off, turn the ignition switch to the START position. 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.
4. After engine start-up, check that the oil pressure warning light has turned off.
5. Allow the engine to idle about three minutes until the manifold heaters have completed the post-heat cycle.
6. 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.
214 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
NORMAL OPERATION — DIESEL ENGINE
Observe the following when the engine is operating.
• All message center lights are off.
• Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is off.
• Engine oil pressure is above 10 psi (69 kPa) at idle.
• Voltmeter operation:
The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation at various
engine temperatures. This cycling operation is caused by
the post-heat cycle of the intake manifold heater system.
The number of cycles and the length of the cycling
operation is controlled by the engine control module.
Post-heat operation can run for several minutes, and then
the electrical system and voltmeter needle will stabilize.
The cycling action will cause temporary dimming of the
headlamps, interior lamps, and also a noticeable reduc-
tion in blower motor speed.
218 STARTING AND OPERATING

diesel engine. However, if seasonably adjusted fuel is
not available and you are operating below 20°F (-6°C),
Mopar® Premium Diesel Fuel Treatment (or equiva-
lent) may be beneficial to avoid fuel gelling.
Engine Oil Usage
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for the correct engine oil viscosity.
Winter Front Usage
A winter front or cold weather cover is to be used in
ambient temperatures below 32°F (0°C), especially dur-
ing extended idle conditions to reduce condensation
build-up within engine crankcase. 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 percentage of opening must
be increased with the increasing ambient air temperature
and/or engine load. If the cooling fan can be heardcycling 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 MOPAR® dealer.
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.
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 21 psi (145 kPa) coolant pressure 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 pistonrings 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.
• Up Steep Hills —
Select a lower transmission gear.
• Air Conditioning —
Turn it off temporarily.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 225

Do Not Operate The Engine With Low Oil
Pressure
When the engine is at normal operating temperature, the
minimum oil pressures required are:
Idle 700 to 800 RPM 10 psi (69 kPa)
Full speed and load 30 psi (207 kPa)
CAUTION!
If oil pressure falls to less than normal readings, shut
the engine off immediately. Failure to do so could
result in immediate and severe engine damage.
Do Not Operate The Engine With Failed Parts
All engine failures give some warning before the parts
fail. Be on the alert for changes in performance, sounds,
and visual evidence that the engine requires service.
Some important clues are:
•engine misfiring or vibrating severely
• sudden loss of power
• unusual engine noises
• fuel, oil or coolant leaks
• sudden change, outside the normal operating range, in
the engine operating temperature
• excessive smoke
• oil pressure drop
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Add oil
only when the level on the dipstick is below the “ADD”
mark. The total capacity from the ADD mark to the Full
mark is 2 qts (1.9L).
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Never operate the engine with oil level below the “ADD”
mark or above the upper “SAFE” mark.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API CJ-4 certified and
meet the requirements of FCA US LLC. Use MOPAR or
an equivalent oil meeting FCA US Material Standard
MS-10902. Products meeting Cummins CES 20081 may
also be used. The identification of these engine oils are
typically located on the back of the oil container.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American Petro-
leum Institute (API). The manufac-
turer only recommends API Certified
engine oils.
6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 281