2018 Ram 2500 Block heater

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING THE ENGINE —
GASOLINE ENGINE .....................288
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................288
▫ Tip Start Feature .......................289
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition .............289
▫ Normal Starting Using ENGINE START/STOP
Button ............................. .289
▫ Idle Shutdown — 6.4L Engine Only ..........293
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ..................293
▫ Cold Weather Operation
(Below –22°F Or 30°C) ..................294
▫ After Starting ..........................294
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . . .294
 ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS . . . .295
 PARKING BRAKE .......................295 
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ..............297
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ................298
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . .299
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped ..........................299
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
1500 Models Only (If Equipped) ............306
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
2500/3500 Models Only ..................315
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED ..........................324
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped . .324
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped ..................327
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped ..................332
6

If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the ignition
button/key is released. If this occurs, continue cranking
with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to the floor.
Release the accelerator pedal and the ignition button/key
once the engine is running smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after a 10 second
period of engine cranking with the accelerator pedal held
to the floor, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
Cold Weather Operation (Below –22°F Or 30°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically, and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a grounded,
three-wire extension cord.1500 Models
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the passenger side of the vehicle near the right head lamp
assembly. It is located between the front grill and the
radiator, but underneath the black upper seal.
2500/3500 Models
The engine block heater cord is routed through the grille by
the right front tow hook.
It includes a removable cap that is secured by a tethered
strap. It also has a c-clip that is used for storage when not
in use for the winter months. During winter months,
remove the heater cord wiring assembly from itself on the
c-clip.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one
hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block heater cord
before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical
cord could cause electrocution.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING

Starting
The characteristics of E-85 fuel make it unsuitable for use
when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F (-18°C). In the
range of 0°F (-18°C) to 32°F (0°C), an increase in the time it
takes for your engine to start may be experienced, and a
deterioration in driveability (sags and/or hesitations) until
the engine is fully warmed up. These issues may be
improved with the use of seasonally adjusted E-85 fuel.
NOTE:Use of the engine block heater (if equipped) may
improve engine start time when using E-85 fuel when the
ambient temperature is less than 32°F (0°C).
Cruising Range
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon/liter than
gasoline, an increase in fuel consumption will be experi-
enced. The miles per gallon (mpg)/kilometers per liter and
the driving range will decrease by approximately 30%,
compared to gasoline operation.
Replacement Parts
All fuel and engine components in your Flexible Fuel
Vehicle (FFV) are designed to be compatible with ethanol.
Ethanol compatible service components are required.
CAUTION!
Replacing fuel system components with non-ethanol
compatible components can damage your vehicle.
Maintenance
CAUTION!
Do not use ethanol mixture greater than 85% in your
vehicle. It will cause difficulty in cold starting and may
affect drivability.
602 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

DisposalAntifreeze (Engine Coolant) .................549
Door Ajar ............................... .192
Door Ajar Light ............................192
Door Locks, Automatic .......................42
Door Opener, Garage ........................114
Driver’s Seat Back Tilt ........................44
Driving Off-Pavement .......................... .362
Off-Road ............................. .362
Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing
Water .................................442
Dual Rear Wheels .......................582, 594
E-85 Fuel ............................... .600
Electrical Power Outlets ..................... .133
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case . . . .327, 332, 336, 339
Electronic Brake Control System ................205
Anti-Lock Brake System ....................204
Electronic Roll Mitigation ...................213
Traction Control System ....................209
Electronic Range Select (ERS) ............305, 312, 321
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) .........395
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...............209
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light .........191Emergency Brake
.......................... .295
Emergency, In Case Of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck .................509
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................447
Jacking ............................... .468
Jump Starting .......................... .502
Emission Control System Maintenance ............201
Engine .......................... .523, 524, 525
Air Cleaner ............................ .531
Block Heater ............................294
Break-In Recommendations .................295
Compartment .......................... .523
Compartment Identification ...........523, 524, 525
Coolant (Antifreeze) ..................... .604
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................279, 600
Fails
To Start ............................293
Flooded, Starting ........................ .293
Fuel Requirements ....................596, 603
Jump Starting .......................... .502
Oil ............................528, 603, 604
Oil Filler Cap .....................523, 529, 530
Oil Filter ...............................530
Oil Selection ........................ .528, 603
Oil Synthetic ............................530
Overheating ............................505
12
INDEX 685

Materials Added........................ .597
Methanol ............................. .598
Octane Rating ........................596, 604
Requirements ........................596, 603
Tank Capacity .......................... .603
Fuel, Flexible ............................. .600
Fuses .................................. .461
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ............114,119
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) .....................414
Gasoline, Clean Air ........................ .597
Gasoline, Reformulated ..................... .597
Gear Ranges .......................... .307, 316
Gear Select Lever Override ....................506
General Information ........................ .222
Glass Cleaning ............................590
Grocery Bag Retainer .........................58
Gross Axle Weight Rating .....................417
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................416
Guide, Body Builders .........................7
GVWR ................................. .414
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing
Water .................................442 Hazard Warning Flasher
..................... .447
Headlights ...............................454
Automatic ..............................76
Cleaning ...............................585
High Beam ..............................74
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...........74
Passing ................................76
Switch .................................73
Head Restraints ............................58
Heated Mirrors .............................71
Heater, Engine Block ........................294
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch ......74
Hill Descent Control ........................214
Hill Descent Control Indicator .................214
Hill Start Assist ............................206
Hitches Trailer Towing .......................... .422
Hoisting .................................558
HomeLink (Garage

Door Opener) ...............114
Hood Prop ...............................112
Hood Release .............................112
Hub Caps ............................... .501
Ignition ..................................28
Key ...................................28
12
INDEX 687