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zero, and will be accompanied by a periodic chime.
The message will continue to countdown until it
reaches zero unless the vehicle is serviced. We recom-
mend 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 150 miles (241 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).
• 5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel
Service DEF See Dealer — This message will continu-
ously display when the mileage counter reaches zero,
and will be accompanied by a periodic chime. •
The vehicle will only be capable of a maximum speed
of 5 MPH upon the first of the following conditions to
occur:
• If the vehicle is shutoff and restarted.
• If the vehicle is idled for an extended period of time,
approximately one hour or greater.
• If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank
has increased.
• 5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See Dealer —
This message will continuously display, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. Although the ve-
hicle can be started and placed in gear, the vehicle will
only operate at a maximum speed of 5 MPH. Your
vehicle will require towing, see your authorized dealer
for service.
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•The vehicle will only be capable of a maximum speed
of 5 MPH upon the first of the following conditions to
occur:
• If the vehicle is shutoff and restarted.
• If the vehicle is idled for an extended period of time,
approximately one hour or greater
• If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank
has increased.
• Add a minimum of 2 gallons (9.5 Liters) of DEF to the
tank in order to avoid vehicle operation at a maximum
speed of 5 MPH (8 km/H).
NOTE: A minimum of 2 gallons (9.5 Liters) may be
required to restore normal vehicle operation. Although
the vehicle will start normally and can be placed in gear
after this message has been initially displayed, extreme
caution should be utilized since the vehicle will only be
capable of maneuvering at a maximum speed of 5 MPH
(8 km/H).Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fault Warning
Messages
There are four 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 may be limited to a maximum speed of 5 MPH (8
km/H) if the DEF system is not serviced within less than
200 miles (322 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.
250 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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•5 MPH Max Speed in 150 mi Service DEF System See
Dealer — This message will display if the DEF system
has not been serviced after the “Service DEF System –
See Dealer” message is displayed. This message will
continuously display until the mileage counter reaches
zero, and will be accompanied by a periodic chime.
The message will continue to countdown until it
reaches zero unless the vehicle is serviced. We recom-
mend 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 150 miles (241 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). •
5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel
Service DEF See Dealer — This message will continu-
ously display when the mileage counter reaches zero,
and will be accompanied by a periodic chime.
• The vehicle will only be capable of a maximum speed
of 5 MPH upon the first of the following conditions to
occur:
• If the vehicle is shutoff and restarted.
• If the vehicle is idled for an extended period of time,
approximately one hour or greater.
• If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank
has increased.
• 5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See Dealer —
This message will continuously display, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. Although the ve-
hicle can be started and placed in gear, the vehicle will
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 251
Page 261 of 406
▫Fuel Filler Cap ...................... .316
▫ Avoid Using Contaminated Fuel ...........316
▫ Bulk Fuel Storage — Diesel Fuel ..........316
▫ Diesel Exhaust Fluid Storage ..............317▫
Adding Diesel Exhaust Fluid .............318
DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID .................322
▫ System Overview ..................... .322
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 259
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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.
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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.
5
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NOTE:
•If you accidentally fill the fuel tank with gasoline on
your diesel vehicle, Do not start the vehicle. If you
restart your vehicle you risk damaging the engine and
fuel system. Please call your local dealer for service.
• A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM
specification D-975 may be used with your Cummins
diesel engine. (Chassis Cab models not configured
with B20 capability.)
• A maximum blend of 20% biodiesel meeting ASTM
specification D-7467 may be used with your Cummins
diesel engine. (Pickup models and Chassis Cab models
configured with B20 Capability.)
• In addition, commercially available fuel additives are
not necessary for the proper operation of your Cum-
mins 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
equivalent) may be beneficial to avoid fuel gelling.
• No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel should only be used
where extended arctic conditions (-10°F or -23°C) exist.
Bio-Diesel Fuel Requirements
Chassis Cab Models
A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM speci-
fication D975 may be used with your Cummins diesel
engine. If operation with Biodiesel blends greater than
5% but not greater than 20% (B6-B20) is desired, the truck
must first be reconfigured by an authorized Ram dealer
and the provisions in the following section must be
adhered to.5
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approved ASTM standards, if stored properly, provides
for protection against fuel oxidation for up to six months.
Fuel Water Separation — Must Use MOPAR/
Cummins Approved Fuel Filter Elements
You must use MOPAR/Cummins approved fuel filter
elements in both your engine mounted filter and frame
mounted filter.
Biodiesel fuel has a natural affinity to water and water
accelerates microbial growth. Your MOPAR/Cummins
filtration system is designed to provide adequate fuel
water separation capabilities.
Bio-Diesel Fuel Properties — Low Ambient
Temperatures
Biodiesel fuel may gel or solidify at low ambient tem-
peratures, which may pose problems for both storage and
operation. Precautions can be necessary at low ambienttemperatures, such as storing the fuel in a heated build-
ing or a heated storage tank, or using cold temperature
additives.
Fuel In Oil Dilution — Must Adhere To Required
Oil Change Interval
Fuel dilution of lubricating oil has been observed with
the use of Biodiesel fuel. Fuel in oil must not exceed 5%.
To ensure this limit is met your oil change interval must
be maintained to the following schedule:
•
Ram PickUp 2500/3500 Only — 15,000 Miles*
• Ram 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab — 12,500 Miles*
(*unless otherwise notified with a oil service message)
5
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