2017 Ram 1500 automatic transmission

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES .................121
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........121
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ......121
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go — If Equipped ..........122
▫ Extreme Cold Weather ...................125
▫ Normal Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold
Air Temperature Above 66° F (19° C) .........126
▫ Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature 0°F To 66°F (–18°C to 19°C) ......126
▫ Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 0°F (-18°C) .............128
▫ Starting Fluids ........................ .129
NORMAL OPERATION — DIESEL ENGINE .....130
▫ Cold Weather Precautions .................131
▫ Engine Idling ........................ .133
▫ Stopping The Engine ....................134
▫ Idle Shutdown ........................ .135
▫ Programmable Maximum Vehicle Speed
(Chassis Cab Only) ..................... .136
▫ Operating Precautions ...................136
▫
Cooling System Tips — Automatic Transmission . .136
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . . .137
▫ Block Heater Usage .....................138
 DIESEL EXHAUST BRAKE (ENGINE BRAKING) .138
5

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED .140
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ................141
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . .141
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped ........................... .141
 MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . . .150
▫ Shifting ............................. .151
▫ Downshifting ......................... .152
▫ Reverse Shifting ....................... .153
 AUXILIARY SWITCHES — IF EQUIPPED ......153
 POWER TAKE OFF OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
(CHASSIS CAB ONLY) ....................154
▫ Stationary Mode ...................... .154
▫ Mobile Mode ......................... .155
ENGINE RUNAWAY .....................156
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ...................157
▫ Fuel Specifications ..................... .157
▫ Bio-Diesel Fuel Requirements ..............158
 ADDING FUEL — 2500/3500 DIESEL MODELS . .160
 ADDING FUEL — CHASSIS CAB MODELS .....162
▫ Fuel Filler Cap ........................ .163
▫ Avoid Using Contaminated Fuel ............163
▫ Bulk Fuel Storage — Diesel Fuel ............163
▫ Diesel Exhaust Fluid Storage ...............164
▫ Adding Diesel Exhaust Fluid ...............164
 DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID ..................167
▫ System Overview ...................... .168
120 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
The starter should not be operated for more than 15-second
intervals. Waiting a few minutes between such intervals
will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
• When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
keyless ignition node is in the “OFF” mode, remove
the key fob from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number
of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear
selector.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or in
a location accessible to children, and do not leave the
ignition of a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-
N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the gear selector in NEU-
TRAL and press the clutch pedal to the floor before starting
the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch inter-
locking ignition system. It will not start unless the clutch is
fully pressed.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Start the engine with the transmission in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Tip Start Feature
Do not press the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch
briefly to the START position and release it. The starter
motor will continue to run but will automatically disen-
gage when the engine is running.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 121

Keyless Enter-N-Go — If Equipped
This feature allows the driver to operate
the ignition switch with the push of a
button, as long as the Remote Start/
Keyless Enter-N-Go key fob is in the
passenger compartment.
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing theENGINE START/STOP button once.
3. The system takes over and attempts to start the vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will disengage
automatically after 25 seconds.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine starting, remove your foot from the brake
pedal and push the button again. NOTE:
•
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
• Under cold weather conditions, the engine may not
immediately crank if the Wait To Starttelltale is
illuminated. This is normal operation. For vehicles
equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go, the vehicle will
automatically crank when the Wait To Starttime has
elapsed. See the section Starting Procedure Engine
Manifold Air Temperature 0°F to 66°F (18° C to 19°C) 
for more information.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE START/STOP
Button
1. Place the gear selector in PARK, then push and release the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition will return to the OFF position.
122 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. If the gear selector is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two seconds or three short
pushes in a row with the vehicle speed above 5 mph
(8 km/h) before the engine will shut off. The ignition
switch position will remain in the ACC position until the
gear selector is in PARK and the button is pushed twice
to the OFF position. If the gear selector is not in PARK
and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pushed once,
the instrument cluster display will display a “Vehicle
Not In Park” message and the engine will remain
running. Never leave a vehicle out of the PARK position,
or it could roll.
4. If the gear selector is in NEUTRAL, push and release the ENGINE START/STOP button with the vehicle speed
below 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine will shut off.
The ignition will remain in the ACC position. NOTE:
If the ignition is left in the ACC or RUN (engine not
running) position and the transmission is in PARK, the
system will automatically time out after 30 minutes of
inactivity and the ignition will switch to the OFF position.
ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With
Driver ’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or
NEUTRAL Position)
The ENGINE START/STOP button operates similar to an
ignition switch. It has three positions, OFF, ACC, RUN. To
change the ignition switch positions without starting the
vehicle and use the accessories follow these steps:
1. Starting with the ignition in the OFF position:
2. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button once to change the ignition to the ACC position.
3. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time to change the ignition to the RUN position.
4. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time to return the ignition to the OFF position.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 123

Normal Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Above 66° F (19° C)
Observe the instrument panel cluster lights when starting
the engine.
1. Always apply the parking brake.
2. Shift into PARK for an automatic transmission.For vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, fully
press and hold the clutch pedal and shift into NEU-
TRAL.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and watch the instrument panel cluster lights.
CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START the engine before you drain the water
from the fuel filters to avoid engine damage. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Sepa-
rator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information. 4. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and
crank the engine. Do not press the accelerator during
starting.
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.
5. When the engine starts, release the key fob.
6. Check that the oil pressure warning light has turned off.
7. Release the parking brake.
Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature 0°F To 66°F (–18°C to 19°C)
NOTE: The temperature displayed in the instrument clus-
ter does not necessarily reflect the engine manifold air
temperature. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further infor-
mation. When engine temperatures fall below 66°F (19°C)
the “Wait To Start Light” will remain on indicating the
intake manifold heater system is active.
126 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 further information.
• If climatized or diesel Number 1 ULSD fuel is not
available, and you are operating below (20°F/-6°C), in
sustained arctic conditions, Mopar Premium Diesel Fuel
Treatment (or equivalent) is recommended to avoid
gelling (see Fuel Operating Range Chart).
Engine Oil Usage
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for the correct engine oil viscosity.
Winter Front Cover Usage
A winter front or cold weather cover is to be used in
ambient temperatures below 32°F (0°C), especially during
extended idle conditions. This cover is equipped with four
flaps for managing total grille opening in varying ambient
temperatures. If a winter front or cold weather cover is to
be used the flaps should be left in the full open position to
allow air flow to the charge air cooler and automatic
transmission oil cooler. When ambient temperatures drop
below 0°F (-17°C) the four flaps need to be closed. 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.
132 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 ambi-
ent 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.
• Operating the exhaust brake at idle will greatly improve
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 tem-
peratures 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 or the truck is driven on low
engine speed drive cycles for more than 2 hours, the
system will automatically enter an emissions operating
mode that will increase the engine idle speed to 900 RPM
(1050 RPM for Chassis Cab). While in this mode, which is
designed to help maintain the diesel particulate filter, the
engine idle speed will return to normal when the brake
pedal is applied. A small change in engine tone or a slight
change in engine performance while accelerating may also5
STARTING AND OPERATING 133