Shifting
Truck models with manual transmission are equipped with
a clutch interlocking ignition system. The clutch pedal
must be fully pressed to start the vehicle.
Fully press the clutch pedal before shifting gears. As you
release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator pedal.This transmission has a “creeper” first gear which should
be used to start from a standing position when carrying a
payload or towing a trailer. Damage to the clutch can result
from starting in second or third gear with a loaded vehicle.
An unloaded vehicle may be launched in second gear. Use
each gear in numerical order – do not skip a gear.
NOTE:
When loaded, pulling a trailer or on a grade, the
truck should always start in first gear and not skip gears.
Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds
To utilize your manual transmission efficiently for both
fuel economy and performance, it should be upshifted as
listed in recommended shift speed chart. Shift at the
vehicle speeds listed for acceleration. When heavily loaded
or pulling a trailer these recommended up-shift speeds
may not apply.
Shift Pattern
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 151
2. Connect one end of the other jumper cable to negative(-) post of booster battery. Connect the other end of the
jumper cable to a good ground on the engine block of
the vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure a
good connection is made, free of dirt and grease.
NOTE:
• Take care that the clamps from one cable do not inad-
vertently touch clamps from the other cable.
• Do not lean over the battery when making connection. •
The negative connection must provide good electrical
conductivity and current carrying capacity.
WARNING!
• Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharge battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
• During cold weather when temperatures are below
freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged battery
may freeze. Do not attempt jump starting because the
battery could rupture or explode. The battery tem-
perature must be brought up above freezing point
before attempting to jump start.
3. After the engine is started or if the engine fails to start, cables must be disconnected in the following order:
• Disconnect the negative cable at the engine ground.
• Disconnect the negative cable at the negative post on
booster battery.
• Disconnect the cable from the positive post of both
batteries.
Positive Jumping Location
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 171
Drain the fuel/water separator filters when the “Water In
Fuel Indicator Light” is ON. Within 10 minutes of vehicle
shutdown, turn the engine mounted filter drain valve
(located on the side of the filter assembly) counterclock-
wise 1/4 turn, and turn the under body mounted filter
drain valve (located on the bottom of the filter assembly)
counterclock wise 1 full turn. Then turn the ignition switch
to the ON position, and allow any accumulated water to
drain. Leave the drain valve open until all water and
contaminants have been removed. When clean fuel is
visible, close the drain valves by turning them fully clock-
wise, and turn the ignition switch to OFF.
If more than a couple ounces/milliliters of fuel have been
drained, follow the directions for “Priming If The Engine
Has Run Out Of Fuel.”
Engine Mounted Fuel Filter Replacement
NOTE:
•Using a fuel filter that does not meet the manufacturer’s
filtration and water separating requirements can se-
verely impact fuel system life and reliability.
•
The engine mounted filter housing is equipped with a
No-Filter-No-Run (NFNR) feature. Engine will not run if:
1. No filter is installed.
2. Inferior/Non-approved filter is used. Use of OEM filter is required to ensure vehicle will run.
Engine Mounted Fuel Filter Assembly
1 — Drain Valve
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 185
CAUTION!
•Diesel fuel will damage blacktop paving surfaces.
Drain the filter into an appropriate container.
• Do not prefill the fuel filter when installing a new
fuel filter. There is a possibility debris could be
introduced into the fuel filter during this action. It is
best to install the filter dry and allow the in-tank lift
pump to prime the fuel system.
1. Ensure engine is turned off.
2. Place drain pan under the fuel filter drain hose.
3. Open the water drain valve 1/4 turn counterclockwise and completely drain fuel and water into the approved
container.
4. Close the water drain valve.
5. Remove lid using a socket or strap wrench. Rotate counterclockwise for removal. Remove used o-ring and
discard it.
6. Remove the used filter cartridge from the housing and dispose of according to your local regulations.
7. Wipe clean the sealing surfaces of the lid and housing. 8. Install new o-ring back into ring groove on the filter
housing and lubricate with clean engine oil.
9. Remove new filter cartridge from plastic bag and install into housing.
NOTE: Do not remove cartridge from bag until you reach
this step in order to keep cartridge clean.
10. Push down on the cartridge to ensure it is properly seated. Do not pre-fill the filter housing with fuel.
11. Install lid onto housing and tighten to 22.5 ft lbs (30.5 N.m). Do not overtighten the lid.
12. Prime the engine using the procedure in “Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of Fuel.” Then start the
engine and confirm there are no leaks.
Underbody Mounted Fuel Filter Replacement
NOTE:
•Using a fuel filter that does not meet the manufacturer’s
filtration and water separating requirements can se-
verely impact fuel system life and reliability.
• The underbody mounted filter housing will cause the
engine not to run if:
186 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
1. No filter is installed.
CAUTION!
•Diesel fuel will damage blacktop paving surfaces.
Drain the filter into an appropriate container.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Do not prefill the fuel filter when installing a new
fuel filter. There is a possibility debris could be
introduced into the fuel filter during this action. It is
best to install the filter dry and allow the in-tank lift
pump to prime the fuel system.
1. Ensure engine is turned off.
2. Place drain pan under the fuel filter drain hose.
3. Open the water drain valve 1 full turn counterclockwise and completely drain fuel and water into the approved
container.
4. Close the water drain valve.
5. Remove lid using a socket or strap wrench. Rotate counterclockwise for removal. Remove used o-ring and
discard it.
6. Remove the used filter cartridge from the housing and dispose of according to your local regulations.
7. Wipe clean the sealing surfaces of the lid and housing.
8. Install new o-ring back into ring groove on the filter housing and lubricate with clean engine oil.
Underbody Mounted Fuel Filter Assembly
1 — Drain Valve 2 — WIF Sensor
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 187
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)..............66
Adding Fuel ...............................45
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) ......57
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ....................65
Capacities ..............................71
Disposal ................................68
Automatic Transmission Fluid Type ..............................75
Axle Fluid ................................75
Battery ...................................64
Brake Fluid................................75
Brake System ..............................69
Fluid Check .............................69
Master Cylinder ..........................69
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............71
Capacities, Fluid ............................71
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .............................56
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ..................67
Charge Air Cooler ...........................69
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .............67
Cooling System .............................65
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................66 Coolant Capacity
.........................71
Coolant Level ............................65
Disposal Of Used Coolant ...................68
Drain, Flush, And Refill .....................65
Points To Remember .......................68
Pressure Cap ............................67
Radiator Cap ............................67
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ...........65,72
Diesel Fuel ................................40
Diesel Fuel Requirements ......................40
Bulk Storage Of ..........................48
Diesel Fuel System, Re-Priming .................62
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................68
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter .............60
Engine ...................................54
Air Cleaner .............................57
Block Heater ..........................34,40
Break-In Recommendations ..................11
Compartment ............................54
Coolant (Antifreeze) .......................72
Identification ............................54
Idling .................................38
218 INDEX - RAM 1500
Starting..................................32
Automatic Transmission ....................33
Engine Block Heater ....................34,40
Remote ................................10
Starting Procedures ..........................32
Starting Procedures (Diesel Engines) ..............32
Tip Start ..................................33
Transfer Case Fluid ..................................75
Transmission
Viscosity, Engine Oil .........................56
Voltmeter .................................35
Water Separator, Diesel Fuel ....................60
220 INDEX - RAM 1500
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).............192
Adding Fuel ............................. .160
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) ......180
Air Filter ............................... .180
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...................192
Capacities ............................. .204
Disposal .............................. .194
Automatic Transmission Adding Fluid .......................... .199
Fluid Level Check ....................... .198
Fluid Type ............................ .207
Shifting .............................. .141
Axle Fluid .............................. .207
Battery ................................. .190
Blanket ........................... .132 , 191
Emergency Starting ...................... .170
Brake System ............................ .195
Fluid Check ........................... .195
Master Cylinder ........................ .195
Brake/Transmission Interlock ..................141
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........204
Capacities, Fluid .......................... .204Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine) ........................... .178
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) .................193
Charge Air Cooler ......................... .195
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .............193
Cooling System ........................... .191
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................192
Coolant Capacity ........................ .204
Coolant Level .......................... .191
Disposal Of Used Coolant ..................194
Drain, Flush, And Refill ....................192
Points To Remember ..................... .194
Pressure Cap ........................... .193
Radiator Cap .......................... .193
Selection
Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..........192 , 205
Diesel Exhaust Brake ....................... .138
Diesel Fuel .............................. .157
Diesel Fuel Requirements .....................157
Bulk Storage Of ......................... .163
Diesel Fuel System, Re-Priming .................188
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .................194
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter .............184
8
INDEX - RAM 2500 / 3500 / 4500 / 5500 221