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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.
NOTE:High-speed, no-load running of a cold engine can
result in excessive white smoke and poor engine perfor-
mance. No-load engine speeds should be kept under
1,200 RPM during the warm-up period, especially in cold
ambient temperature conditions. Your vehicle is equipped with a turbo speed limiter, this
feature limits the engine speed to 1,200 RPM when
engine coolant temperatures are below 70°F (21°C). This
feature is designed to protect the turbocharger from
damage and will only operate in PARK or NEUTRAL.
If temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), operate the engine
at moderate speeds for five minutes before full loads are
applied.
NOTE:
If ambient temperatures are low and the coolant
temperature is below 180°F (82°C), the engine idle speed
will slowly increase to 1,000 RPM after two minutes of
idle, if the following conditions are met:
• Foot is off brake pedal and throttle pedal.
• Automatic transmission is in PARK.
• Vehicle speed is 0 mph (0 km/h).
• Applying the throttle will cancel fast idle.
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•Operating the exhaust brake at idle will greatly im-
prove warm up rate and will help keep the engine
close to operating temperature during extended idle.
Engine Idling
Avoid prolonged idling, long periods of idling may be
harmful to your engine because combustion chamber
temperatures can drop so low that the fuel may not burn
completely. Incomplete combustion allows carbon and
varnish to form on piston rings, engine valves, and
injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can enter the
crankcase, diluting the oil and causing rapid wear to the
engine.
If the engine is allowed to idle, under some conditions
the idle speed may increase to 900 RPM then return to
normal idle speed. This is normal operation. NOTE:
For EVIC/DID messages related to the vehicle’s
exhaust system, refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” or “Driver Information Display (DID)”
for further information.Idle-Up Feature — Automatic Transmission Only
The driver-controlled high idle speed feature will help
increase cylinder temperatures and provide additional
cab heat, however, excessive idling may still cause the
exhaust aftertreatment system to not properly regenerate.
Extended periods of idle time should be avoided.
The Idle-Up feature uses the speed control switches to
increase engine idle speed and quickly warm the vehi-
cle’s interior.
1. With the transmission in PARK, the parking brake applied, and the engine running, push the speed
control switch to the ON position, then push the SET
switch.
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2. The engine RPM will go up to 1100 RPM. To increasethe RPM, push and hold the ACCEL/RESUME switch
and the idle speed will increase to approximately 1500
RPM. To decrease the RPM, push and hold the DECEL
switch and the idle speed will decrease to approxi-
mately 1100 RPM.
3. To cancel the Idle–Up feature, either push the CAN- CEL switch, push the ON/OFF switch, or press the
brake pedal.
Stopping The Engine
Idle the engine a few minutes before routine shutdown.
After full load operation, idle the engine three to five
minutes before shutting it down. This idle period will
allow the lubricating oil and coolant to carry excess heat
away from the combustion chamber, bearings, internal
components, and turbocharger. This is especially impor-
tant for turbocharged, charge air-cooled engines. NOTE:
•
During engine shut down on vehicles equipped with
manual transmissions, it is normal for the diesel en-
gine to resonate heavily for a moment during engine
shut off. When the engine is connected to a manual
transmission, this resonance causes load gear rattle
from the transmission. This is commonly referred to as
“shut down rattle.” The manufacturer recommends
performing engine shut down with the clutch pedal
pushed to the floor (clutch disengaged). When engine
shut down is performed in this manner the rattle is
reduced (not eliminated).
• Refer to the following chart for proper engine shut-
down.
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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.
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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.
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•Brake pedal must not be applied.
• No vehicle, brake or clutch switch faults present.
• Vehicle engine must be running.
• PTO must be correctly installed using the vehicle
provided circuits.
The customer may choose to use the PTO while the
vehicle is moving. To do so, the PTO function must be
activated prior to taking the vehicle out of PARK. This is
accomplished by activating the upfitter-provided PTO
on/off switch. At this point, the customer may place the
vehicle in a forward or reverse gear and have PTO
operation once the vehicle begins to move. To disengage
PTO operation and return to “standard vehicle opera-
tion” simply toggle the on/off switch to the OFF position. NOTE:
For application specific information with respect
to PTO and pump requirements and additional vehicle
information (wiring schematics, preset idle values, en-
gine speed limits, and vehicle hardware and software
requirements) please refer to the Body Builders Guide by
accessing www.rambodybuilder.com and choosing the
appropriate links.
ENGINE RUNAWAY
Diesel engine runaway is a rare condition affecting diesel
engines, where the engine consumes its own lubrication
oil and runs at higher and higher RPM until it overspeeds
to a point where it destroys itself due to either mechani-
cal failure or engine seizure through lack of lubrication.
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WARNING!
In case of engine runaway due to flammable fumes
from fuel spills or turbocharger oil leaks being
sucked into the engine, do the following to help
avoid personal injury and/or vehicle damage:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
2. Using a CO2 or dry chemical type fire extinguisher,
direct the spray from the fire extinguisher into the
grille on the passenger side so that the spray enters
the engine air intake.
The inlet for the engine air intake is located behind
the passenger side headlamp and receives air
through the grille.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Use good quality diesel fuel from a reputable supplier in
your vehicle. Federal law requires that you must fuel this
vehicle with Ultra Low Sulfur Highway Diesel fuel(15 ppm Sulfur maximum) and prohibits the use of Low
Sulfur Highway Diesel fuel (500 ppm Sulfur maximum)
to avoid damage to the emissions control system.
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 filters.
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comply with the requirements outlined below. It is im-
portant that you understand and comply with these
requirements. Failure to comply with Oil Change require-
ments for vehicles operating on biodiesel blends up to
B20 will result in premature engine wear. Such wear is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Biodiesel is a fuel produced from renewable resources
typically derived from animal fat, rapeseed oil (Rapeseed
Methyl Ester (RME) base), or soybean oil (Soy Methyl
Ester (SME or SOME) base). Biodiesel fuel has inherent
limitations which require that you understand and ad-
here to the following requirements if you use blends of
Biodiesel greater then 5% but not greater than 20%
(B6-B20). There are no unique restrictions for the use of
B5. Use of blends greater than 20% is not approved. Use
of blends greater than 20% can result in engine damage.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.Fuel Quality — Must Comply With ASTM
Standards
The quality of Biodiesel fuel may vary widely. Only fuel
produced by a BQ9000 supplier to the following specifi-
cations may be blended to meet Biodiesel blend (B6–B20)
fuel meeting ASTM specification D-7467:
•Pretrodiesel fuel meeting ASTM specification D-975
and Biodiesel fuel (B100) meeting ASTM specification
D-6751.
Fuel Oxidation Stability — Must Use Fuel Within
Six Months Of Manufacture
Biodiesel fuel has poor oxidation stability which can
result in long term storage problems. Fuel produced to
approved ASTM standards, if stored properly, provides
for protection against fuel oxidation for up to six months.
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