2017 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab warning

•Parking brake must not be applied.
• 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 pro-
vided 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 accom-
plished 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 operation” 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, engine
speed limits, and vehicle hardware and software require-
ments) please refer to the Body Builders Guide by access-
ing
rambodybuilder.comand 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 mechanical
failure or engine seizure through lack of lubrication.
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 per-
sonal 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.
156 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 Test-
ing 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.
WARNING!
Do not use alcohol or gasoline as a fuel blending agent.
They can be unstable under certain conditions and
hazardous or explosive when mixed with diesel fuel.Diesel fuel is seldom completely free of water. To prevent
fuel system trouble, drain the accumulated water from the
fuel/water separator using the fuel/water separator drain
provided on both fuel filters. If you buy good quality fuel
and follow the cold weather advice above, fuel condition-
ers should not be required in your vehicle. If available in
your area, a high cetane “premium” diesel fuel may offer
improved cold-starting and warm-up performance.
CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START engine before you drain the water from
the fuel filter(s) to avoid engine damage. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Sepa-
rator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
Fuel Specifications
The Cummins diesel engine has been developed to take
advantage of the high energy content and generally lower
cost No. 2 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel or No. 2 Ultra Low
Sulfur climatized diesel fuels. Experience has shown that it
also operates on No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuels or
other fuels within specification.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 157

NOTE:Ensure funnel is inserted fully to hold flapper door
open.
3. Pour fuel into funnel opening.
4. Remove funnel from filler pipe, clean off prior to putting back in the jack kit.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top off”
the fuel tank after filling.
WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near the
vehicle when the fuel door is open or the tank is
being filled.
• Never add fuel when the engine is running. This is
in violation of most state and federal fire regulations
and may cause the “Malfunction Indicator Light” to
turn on.
• A fire may result if fuel is pumped into a portable
container that is inside of a vehicle. You could be
burned. Always place fuel containers on the ground
while filling.
ADDING FUEL — CHASSIS CAB MODELS
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top off”
the fuel tank after filling.
NOTE:
• When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel tank
is full.
Emergency Fuel Fill Location
162 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Tighten the fuel filler cap until you hear a “clicking”
sound. This is an indication that the fuel filler cap is
properly tightened.
• Make sure that the fuel filler cap is tightened each time
the vehicle is refueled.
WARNING!
A fire may result if fuel is pumped into a portable
container that is on a truck bed. You could be burned.
Always place fuel containers on the ground while
filling.
Fuel Filler Cap
If the fuel filler cap is lost or damaged, be sure the
replacement cap is for use with this vehicle.
CAUTION!
Damage to the fuel system or emission control system
could result from using an improper fuel tank filler
tube cap. A poorly fitting cap could let impurities into
the fuel system.
WARNING!
• Never have any smoking materials lit in or near the
vehicle when the fuel filler cap is removed or the
tank filled.
• Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
Avoid Using Contaminated Fuel
Fuel that is contaminated by water or dirt can cause severe
damage to the engine fuel system. Proper maintenance of
the engine fuel filter and fuel tank is essential. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle”
for further information.
Bulk Fuel Storage — Diesel Fuel
If you store quantities of fuel, good maintenance of the
stored fuel is also essential. Fuel contaminated with water
will promote the growth of “microbes.” These microbes
form “slime” that will clog the fuel filtration system and
lines. Drain condensation from the supply tank and change
the line filter on a regular basis.
NOTE: When a diesel engine is allowed to run out of fuel,
air is pulled into the fuel system.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 163

If the vehicle will not start, refer to “Maintenance
Procedures/Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of Fuel”
in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
WARNING!
Do not open the high pressure fuel system with the
engine running. Engine operation causes high fuel
pressure. High pressure fuel spray can cause serious
injury or death.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Storage
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is considered a very stable
product with a long shelf life. If DEF is kept in tempera-
tures between 10° and 90°F (-12° and 32°C), it will last a
minimum of one year.
DEF is subject to freezing at the lowest temperatures.
For example, DEF may freeze at temperatures at or below
12° F (-11° C). The system has been designed to operate in
this environment.
NOTE:When working with DEF, it is important to know
that:
• Any containers or parts that come into contact with DEF
must be DEF compatible (plastic or stainless steel). Copper, brass, aluminum, iron or non-stainless steel
should be avoided as they are subject to corrosion by
DEF.
• If DEF is spilled, it should be wiped up completely.
Adding Diesel Exhaust Fluid
The DEF gauge (located on the instrument cluster) will
display the level of DEF remaining in the tank. Refer to
“Instrument Cluster” and “Instrument Cluster Descrip-
tions” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for fur-
ther information.
NOTE:
•Driving conditions (altitude, vehicle speed, load, etc.)
will effect the amount of DEF that is used in your
vehicle.
• Another factor is that outside temperature can affect
DEF consumption. In cold conditions, 12° F (-11° C) and
below, the DEF gauge needle can stay on a fixed position
and may not move for extended periods of time. This is
a normal function of the system.
164 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 work-
ing 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 transmission
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 light or yel-
low. 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.
1. Attach one jumper cable to the positive terminal of booster battery and the other end of the same cable to
the positive terminal of the discharged battery.
NOTE: Do not connect jumper cables to the fuses. Only
use the jump post when connecting jumper cables.
WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this could
establish a ground connection and personal injury
could result.
170 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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

WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
•Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent.
• Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion.
• Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or of
immobilized vehicle.
With Portable Starting Unit
There are many types of these units available. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for necessary precautions and
operation.
CAUTION!
It is very important that the starting unit operating
voltage does not exceed 12 Volts DC or damage to
battery, starter motor, alternator, or electrical system
may occur.
172 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES