Page 276 of 406

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.
274 STARTING AND OPERATING
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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
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
Page 282 of 406

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.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the heater
cord to a ground-fault interrupter protected 110–115 Volt
AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire exten-
sion cord.
280 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 339 of 406

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 LLC. Use MOPAR or an
equivalent oil meeting FCA Material Standard MS-10902.
Products meeting Cummins CES 20081 may also be used.
The identification of these engine oils are typically lo-
cated 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 337
Page 402 of 406

LightsAirBag ............................. .191
Brake Warning ........................ .192
Cruise .......................... .223 , 225
Engine Temperature Warning ...............195
Fog .................................211
Low Fuel ............................ .209
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) .........202
Park ............................ .221 , 223
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .190
Security Alarm ........................ .194
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ............206
Turn Signal .......................... .222
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . .195 , 222
Maintenance Procedures ....................335
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .380
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .......202
Manual Transmission ..................... .298Fluid Level Check
...................... .362
Shift Speeds .......................... .300
New Vehicle Break-In Period .................173
Noise Control Maintenance .......................... .367
Tampering Prohibited ....................368
Noise Emission Warranty ....................366
Oil Change Indicator ...................... .381
Oil Pressure Light ........................ .197
Oil, Engine ............................. .336
Capacity ............................ .373
Change Interval ....................... .337
Dipstick ............................. .336
Disposal ............................. .340
Filter ........................... .340 , 374
Filter Disposal ........................ .340
Identification Logo ..................... .337
8
INDEX - RAM 2500 / 3500 / 4500 / 5500 399