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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. •
Automatic equipped vehicles with optional Keyless
Enter-N-Go – If the start button is pushed once while
in park with the ignition off and driver ’s foot on the
brake pedal, the vehicle will automatically crank and
start after the Wait to Start time has elapsed. If it is
desired to abort the start process before it completes,
the driver ’s foot should be fully removed from the
brake pedal prior to pushing the start button again in
order for the ignition to move directly to off.
• If the engine stalls, or if the ignition switch is left ON
for more than two minutes after the “Wait To Start”
telltale goes out, reset the grid heaters by turning the
ignition switch to the OFF position for at least five
seconds and then back ON. Repeat steps 1 through 5 of
“Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air Tempera-
ture Below 66°F (19°C).”
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 205
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Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 0°F (-18°C)
In extremely cold weather below 0°F (-18°C) it may be
beneficial to cycle the manifold heaters twice before
attempting to start the engine. This can be accomplished
by turning the ignition OFF for at least five seconds and
then back ON after the “Wait To Start” telltale has turned
off, but before the engine is started. However, excessive
cycling of the manifold heaters will result in damage to
the heater elements or reduced battery voltage.
NOTE:If multiple pre-heat cycles are used before start-
ing, additional engine run time may be required to
maintain battery state of charge at a satisfactory level.
1. If the engine stalls after the initial start, the ignitionmust be turned to the OFF position for at least five
seconds and then to the ON position to recycle the
manifold heaters. NOTE:
Excessive white smoke and poor engine perfor-
mance will result if manifold heaters are not recycled.
2. Heat generated by the manifold heaters dissipates rapidly in a cold engine. If more than two minutes
pass between the time the “Wait To Start” telltale turns
off and the engine is started, recycle the manifold
heaters by turning the ignition switch to the OFF
position for at least five seconds and then back ON.
3. If the vehicle is driven and vehicle speed exceeds 19 mph (31 km/h) before the manifold heater post-
heat (after start) cycle is complete, the manifold heat-
ers will shut off.
4. If the engine is started before the “Wait To Start” telltale turns off, the preheat cycle will turn off.
5. If the engine is cranked for more than 10 seconds, the post-heat cycle will turn off.
206 STARTING AND OPERATING
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NOTE:
•Engine idle speed will automatically increase to
1,000 RPM and engage the Variable Geometry Turbo-
charger at low coolant temperatures to improve engine
warm-up.
• When a diesel engine is allowed to run out of fuel or
the fuel gels at low temperatures, air is pulled into the
fuel system. If your engine has run out of fuel, refer to
“Maintenance Procedures/Priming If The Engine Has
Run Out Of Fuel” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for
further information.
• If the engine stalls, or if the ignition switch is left ON
for more than two minutes after the “Wait To Start”
telltale goes out, reset the grid heaters by turning the
ignition switch to the OFF position for at least five
seconds and then back ON. Repeat steps 1 through 5 of
“Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air Tempera-
ture Below 66°F (19°C).”Starting Fluids
WARNING!
Starting fluids or flammable liquids must never be
used in the Cummins diesel engine (see Warning
label). Never pour diesel fuel, flammable liquid,
starting fluids (ether) into the air cleaner canister, air
intake piping, or turbocharger inlet in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire and
explosion causing serious personal injury and engine
damage.
The engine is equipped with an automatic electric air
preheating system. If the instructions in this manual are
followed, the engine should start in all conditions.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 207
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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.
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.*No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel should only be used
where extended arctic conditions (-10°F/-23°C) exist.
NOTE:
•
Use of Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel or
Number 1 Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel results in a
noticeable decrease in fuel economy.
Fuel Operating Range Chart
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 209
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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.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood to
the right side and can be located just behind the grille
near the headlamp.
NOTE:The engine block heater cord is a factory installed
option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater cords are
available from your authorized MOPAR dealer.
The block heater must be plugged in at least one hour to
have an adequate warming effect on the coolant.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110–115 Volt electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
NOTE: The block heater will require 110 Volts AC and
6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.
Block Heater Usage
For ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), engine
block heater usage is recommended.
For ambient temperatures below –20°F (-29°C), engine
block heater usage is required.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 217
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JUMP STARTING
WARNING!
•To prevent personal injury or damage to clothing,
do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or
fabrics. Do not lean over a battery when connecting
jumper cables or allow cable clamps to touch each
other. Keep open flames or sparks away from
battery vent holes. Always wear eye protection
when working with batteries.
• Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source that has a greater than 12 Volt system, i.e., do
not use a 24 Volt power source.
NOTE: Replacement batteries should both be of equal
size to prevent damage to the vehicle’s charging system.
Your vehicle is equipped with two 12 Volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery with jumper cables to start a vehicle’s engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be used:
Set the parking brake and place an automatic transmis-
sion in PARK (or NEUTRAL for a manual transmission).
Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads. Observe
charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries. If the
indicator (if equipped) is light or yellow on either battery,
replace that battery.
CAUTION!
Use the jump start procedure only when the charge
indicator (if equipped) in both batteries is dark in the
center. Do not attempt jump starting when either
battery charge indicator (if equipped) is bright or
yellow. If the charge indicator (if equipped) has a
green dot in the center, failure to start is not due to a
discharged battery and cranking system should be
checked.
262 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Page 329 of 338

Diesel Fuel System, Re-Priming...............101
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................108
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter ............97
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ......25
Engine ..................................90
Air Cleaner ............................94
Block Heater ........................66,73
Break-In Recommendations .................13
Compartment ...........................90
Coolant (Antifreeze) .....................114
Identification ...........................90
Idling ................................70
Oil...............................92,114
Oil Filler Cap ...........................93
Filters Air Cleaner ............................94
Engine Fuel ............................97 Engine Oil
.........................94,114
Engine Oil Disposal ......................94
Fluid Capacities ..........................113
Fluid Level Checks Brake ................................110
Fluid, Brake .............................118
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ...........114
Fuel ...................................73
Adding ...............................80
Diesel ............................73,114
Filter .................................97
Requirements ...........................73
Specifications ...........................74
Tank Capacity ..........................113
Fueling .................................80
Gauges Voltmeter ..............................68
8
INDEX - RAM 1500 327
Page 330 of 338

Information Center, Vehicle...................25
Instrument Cluster .........................16
Intervention Regeneration Strategy ..............32
Keyless Enter-N-Go ........................65
Maintenance Procedures .....................91
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .120
New Vehicle Break-In Period ..................13
Oil, Engine ...............................92
Capacity ..............................113
Change Interval .........................93
Dipstick ...............................92
Disposal ..............................94 Filter
.............................94,114
Filter Disposal ..........................94
Materials Added To ......................94
Recommendation ........................92
Viscosity ..............................93
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) ...........105
Remote Starting System ......................12
Schedule, Maintenance .....................120
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..............114
Starting .................................63
Automatic Transmission ...................64
Engine Block Heater ...................66,73
Remote ...............................12
Starting Procedures .........................63
Starting Procedures (Diesel Engines) .............63
328 INDEX - RAM 1500