Page 16 of 338
NOTE:Light duty operation such as light trailer towing
or no load operation will extend the time before the
engine is at full efficiency. Reduced fuel economy and
power may be seen at this time.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown under “Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts”,
under “Maintaining Your Vehicle” in this manual. NON-
DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST
NEVER BE USED.
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 71 of 338

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.
• Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel is a blend of
Number 2 Ultra Low Sulfur and Number 1 Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel Fuels which reduces the temperature at
which wax crystals form in fuel.
• The fuel grade should be clearly marked on the pump
at the fuel station.
• The engine requires the use of “Ultra Low Sulfur
Diesel Fuel”. Use of incorrect fuel could result in
engine and exhaust system damage. Refer to “Fuel
Requirements” in “Starting And Operating” for fur-
ther information.
• Commercially available fuel additives are not neces-
sary for the proper operation of your 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.
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 heard
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 69
Page 95 of 338

mark. The total capacity from the MIN mark to the MAX
mark is 1.3 qts (1.2 L).
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
NOTE: It is possible for your oil level to be slightly
higher than a previous check. This would be due to diesel
fuel that may temporarily be in the crankcase due to
operation of the diesel particulate filter regeneration
strategy. This fuel will evaporate out under normal
operation.
Never operate the engine with oil level below the “MIN”
mark or above the upper “MAX” mark.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
CAUTION!
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced technol-
ogy Diesel Engine and an emission device designed
to limit Diesel Particulate Emissions from being
released into the atmosphere. The durability of your
engine and life expectancy of this diesel particulate
filter emission device is highly dependent on the use
of the correct engine oil.
Only use ACEA C3 SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Low Ash engine
oil meeting FCA Material Standard MS-11106 or Pennzoil
Ultra Euro L full synthetic 5W-30 motor oil, which is
5
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 93
Page 212 of 338

•Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel is a blend of
Number 2 Ultra Low Sulfur and Number 1 Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel Fuels which reduces the temperature at
which wax crystals form in fuel.
• The fuel grade should be clearly marked on the pump
at the fuel station.
• The engine requires the use of “Ultra Low Sulfur
Diesel Fuel”. Use of incorrect fuel could result in
engine and exhaust system damage. Refer to “Fuel
Requirements” in “Starting And Operating” for fur-
ther information.
• Commercially available fuel additives are not neces-
sary for the proper operation of your Cummins 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 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 heard
cycling frequently, increase the size of the opening in the
winter front. A suitable cold weather cover is available
from your MOPAR dealer.
210 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 276 of 338

system damage. A maximum sulfated ash content of 1.00
mass % is recommended for all oil used in the engine.
The same oil change interval is to be followed for
synthetic oil as for petroleum based oil. Also, synthetic oil
must meet the same performance specifications as petro-
leum oil.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil as the
chemicals can damage your engine. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
In ambient temperatures above 0°F (-18°C), we recom-
mend you use SAE 15W-40 engine oil such as MOPAR,
Shell Rotella and Shell Rimula that meets FCA Material
Standard MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine oil category
is required. Products meeting Cummins CES 20081 may
also be used. The identification of these engine oils is
typically located on the back of the oil container.
In ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), SAE 5W-40
we recommend you usesyntheticengine oil such as
MOPAR, Shell Rotella and Shell Rimula that meets FCA
Material Standard MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine oil
category is required.
274 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 277 of 338
CAUTION!
Failure to use SAE 5W-40 synthetic engine oil in
ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) could result
in severe engine damage.Engine oil not designated by the FCA or Cummins
Material Standards and API CJ-4 should not be used, as
engine and exhaust system durability may be compro-
mised. The engine oil filler cap also shows the recom-
mended engine oil viscosity for your engine. For infor-
mation on engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine
Compartment” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils if the recommended oil
quality requirements are met and the recommended
maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes are
followed.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 275
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
Page 331 of 338
Tip Start................................64
Transfer Case Fluid ................................118
Transmission
Viscosity, Engine Oil ........................93
Voltmeter ................................68
Water Separator, Diesel Fuel ..................97
8
INDEX - RAM 1500 329