2015 Ram ProMaster light

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, both inside
and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
The starter is allowed to crank for up to 10-second
intervals. Waiting a few minutes between such intervals
will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
•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. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
NOTE: Engine start up in very low ambient temperature
could result in evident white smoke. This condition will
disappear as the engine warms up.
CAUTION!
If the “Generic Warning Light” remains on and a
“Service Fuel Filter” message displays, DO NOT
START engine before you drain the water from the
fuel filter housing to avoid engine damage. Please
see your authorized dealer for draining the fuel
filter/water separator and fuel filter replacement.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 37

Normal Starting Procedure
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL (N) position,
and the brake pedal must be pressed, to allow engine
cranking. Place the shift lever in NEUTRAL (N) and
apply the brake pedal BEFORE turning the key to the
START/AVV position; otherwise, the engine will not
crank and the key must be cycled OFF, then back on,
before cranking is allowed.
Observe the instrument panel cluster lights when starting
the engine.
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Place the shift lever into the NEUTRAL (N) position while keeping the brake pedal depressed. 3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN/MAR posi-
tion and watch the instrument panel cluster lights.
CAUTION!
If the “Generic Warning Light” remains on and a
“Service Fuel Filter” message displays, DO NOT
START engine before you drain the water from the
fuel filter housing to avoid engine damage. Please
see your authorized dealer for draining the fuel
filter/water separator and fuel filter replacement.
4. After the Glow Plug light turns off, turn the ignition switch to the AVV (START) position to start the engine.
Do not press the accelerator during starting.
5. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine starting, release the ignition key so that it
turns back to the ON/RUN position.
38 STARTING AND OPERATING

6. Check that the oil pressure warning light has turnedoff.
7. Release the parking brake.
To start the engine if the transmission is faulty, the
“Delayed startup” procedure may be required.
NOTE: Not all Transmission Failures requires the “De-
layed startup” Procedure, it depends on the type of
failure.
(refer to Instrument Cluster Messages underAuto-
mated Manual Transmission in this section for further
information):
• Begin with the key in the OFF position.
• Press and hold the brake pedal. •
Turn the key to the START/AVV position and hold it
there for at least seven seconds with the brake de-
pressed. The engine will start, and the transmission
will operate in recovery mode (maximum gear permit-
ted = 3rd, automatic mode not available). If the engine
does not start, contact your authorized dealer.
Starting Fluids
The engine is equipped with a glow plug preheating
system. If the instructions in this manual are followed,
the engine should start in all conditions and no type of
starting fluid should be used.
WARNING!
• Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 39

NOTE:The engine and transmission block heater cord is
a factory installed 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 Diesel Pre-Heat system both improves engine start-
ing and reduces the amount of white smoke generated
by a warming engine.
NORMAL OPERATION
Observe the following when the diesel engine is operat-
ing.
• All message center lights are off.
• Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is off.
• Generic Warning Light is off. •
Engine Oil Pressure telltale is not illuminated.
Cold Weather Precautions
Operation in ambient temperature below 32°F (0°C) may
require special considerations. The following charts sug-
gest these options:
Fuel Operating Range
NOTE: Use “Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuels” ONLY.
Fuel Operating Range Chart
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STARTING AND OPERATING 41

Cooling System Tips — Automated Manual
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 transmis-
sion 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. Do Not Operate The Engine With Low Oil
Pressure
If the low oil pressure warning light turns on while
driving, stop the vehicle and shut down the engine as
soon as possible. A chime will sound when the light turns
on.
NOTE:
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is
corrected. This light does not show how much oil is in the
engine. The engine oil level must be checked under the
hood.
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.
44 STARTING AND OPERATING

Instrument Cluster Messages
Messages will be displayed in the instrument cluster to
alert the driver when certain unusual conditions occur.
These messages are described below.
MESSAGEDESCRIPTION
Service Transmission
When the ignition key is turned to ON/RUN/MAR, the Transmission Fault Indica- tor light turns on and should go off after a few seconds.
The Transmission Fault Indicator illuminates either steady or blinking (together with this message and a buzzer) to indicate a transmission fault.
Contact your authorized dealer if the message continues to appear.
Reduce Gear Changes
This message indicates that the driver is operating the transmission incorrectly.
Incorrect use (by the driver) could automatically activate a procedure for pro- tecting the system.
Contact you authorized dealer if the message continues to appear.
Manual Unavailable MANUAL (M) mode is not available, due to a fault or other condition. Use the DRIVE (D) position to operate the vehicle.
Contact your authorized dealer if the message continues to appear.
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For most year-round service, No. 2 diesel fuel meeting
ASTM (formerly known as the American Society for
Testing and Materials) specification D-975 Grade S15 will
provide good performance.
If the vehicle is exposed to extreme cold (below 20°F or
-7°C), or is required to operate at colder-than-normal
conditions for prolonged periods, use climatized No. 2
diesel fuel or dilute the No. 2 diesel fuel with 50% No. 1
diesel fuel. This will provide better protection from fuel
gelling or wax-plugging of the fuel filter.
WARNING!
Do not use alcohol or gasoline as a fuel blending
agent. They can be unstable under certain conditions
and hazardous or explosive when mixed with diesel
fuel.Diesel fuel is seldom completely free of water. If water is
detected in the water separator while the engine is
running or while the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN
position, the “Generic Warning Light” will illuminate
and the specific message, “Service Fuel Filter” will ap-
pear in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).
If this occurs you should stop the engine and drain the
water from the filter housing.
NOTE:
Please see your authorized dealer for draining the
fuel/water separator and fuel filter replacement.
Purchasing good quality fuel and by following the cold
weather advice above, fuel conditioners should not be
required in your vehicle.
NOTE: If available in your area, a high cetane “pre-
mium” diesel fuel may offer improved cold-starting and
warm-up performance.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 61

CAUTION!
If the “Generic Warning Light” remains on and a
“Service Fuel Filter” message displays, DO NOT
START engine before you drain the water from the
fuel filter housing to avoid engine damage. Please
see your authorized dealer for draining the fuel
filter/water separator and fuel filter replacement.
Fuel Specifications
This diesel engine has been developed to take advantage
of the high energy content and generally lower cost No.
2 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel or No. 2 Ultra Low Sulfur
climatized diesel fuels.NOTE:
•
If you accidentally fill the fuel tank with gasoline on
your diesel vehicle, do not start the engine. Damage to
the engine and fuel system could occur. Please call
your authorized dealer for service.
• A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM
specification D-975 may be used with your diesel
engine without any adjustments to regular service
schedules.
• Commercially available fuel additives are not neces-
sary for the proper operation of your diesel engine.
• No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel should only be used
where extended arctic conditions (-10°F or -23°C) exist.
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