2020 Ram 3500 transmission

STARTING AND OPERATING217
(Continued)
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 O
R −30°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these
temperatures, use of an externally powered
electric engine block heater (available from an
authorized dealer) is recommended.
AFTER STARTING
The idle speed is controlled automatically, and
it will decrease as the engine warms up.
STARTING THE ENGINE — DIESEL ENGINE
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 25-second intervals. Waiting a few
minutes between such intervals will protect the
starter from overheating.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Start the engine with the transmission in the
NEUTRAL or PARK position. Apply the brake
before shifting to any driving range.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not
crank the engine for more than 10 seconds at
a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying
again.
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 unat -
tended 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.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle, or in a location accessible to chil -
dren, 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.
WARNING! (Continued)
5

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218STARTING AND OPERATING
Tip Start Feature
Do not press the accelerator. Cycle the ignition
switch briefly to the START position and release
it. The starter motor will continue to run and will
automatically disengage when the engine is
running.
KEYLESS ENTER-N-GO — IGNITION
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 the ENGINE 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
ENGINE START/STOP 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
Start” telltale is illuminated. This is normal
operation. For vehicles equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go, the vehicle will automat -
ically crank when the “Wait To Start” time 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 mode. 3. If the gear selector is not in PARK and the
ENGINE START/STOP button is pushed
once, the instrument cluster 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, and the vehicle speed below 5 mph (8 km/h),
pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button
once will turn the engine off. The ignition will
remain in the ACC mode.

5. If the vehicle speed is above 5 mph (8 km/h), the ENGINE START/STOP button must be
held for two seconds (or three short pushes
in a row) to turn the engine off. The ignition
will remain in the ACC mode (NOT the OFF
mode) if the engine is turned off when the
transmission is not in PARK.

NOTE:
If the ignition is left in the ACC or ON/RUN
(engine not running) mode and the transmis -
sion is in PARK, the system will automatically
time out after 30 minutes of inactivity and the
ignition return to the OFF mode.

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220STARTING AND OPERATING
5. After engine start-up, check to see that
there is oil pressure.
6. Release the parking brake and drive.
NOTE:
Engine idle speed will automatically increase
to 1,000 RPM and engage the Variable
Geometry Turbocharger at low coolant
temperatures to improve engine warm-up.
The engine will not automatically crank after
the engine “Wait To Start” telltale goes off if
a door or the hood is ajar.

If the engine stalls, or if the ignition switch is
left ON for more than two minutes after the
“Wait To Start” telltale goes out, reset the
intake air heater by turning the ignition switch
to the OFF position for at least 5 seconds and
then back ON. Repeat steps 1 through 7 of
“Keyless Enter-N-Go Starting Procedure –
Engine Manifold Air Temperature Below 66° F
(19° C).”

EXTREME COLD WEATHER
The Cummins® Turbo Diesel engine is
equipped with several features designed to
assist cold weather starting and operation:
The engine block heater is a resistance
heater installed in the water jacket of the
engine just above and behind the oil filter. It
requires a 110–115 Volt AC electrical outlet
with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
NOTE:
The engine block heater cord is a factory
installed option. If your vehicle is not equipped,
heater cords are available from an authorized
Mopar dealer.
A 12 Volt heater built into the fuel filter hous -
ings aid in preventing fuel gelling. It is
controlled by a built-in thermostat.
A intake air heater system both improves
engine starting and reduces the amount of
white smoke generated by a warming engine.
NORMAL STARTING PROCEDURE —
E
NGINE MANIFOLD AIR TEMPERATURE
A
BOVE 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.
3. Place the ignition switch in the ON position and watch the instrument panel cluster
lights.
4. Place the ignition switch in the START position and crank the engine. Do not press
the accelerator during starting.
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 “Draining Fuel/
Water Separator Filter” in “Servicing And
Maintenance” for further information.

20_DJD2_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 220

STARTING AND OPERATING225
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
“Technical Specifications” for further infor -
mation.
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).
Under some circumstances increased engine
noise may be audible in the seconds
following a cold start. This is most likely to
occur when using fuel that isn't blended for
the ambient temperature present. This may
occur on an unseasonably cold day or when a
truck is fueled in a warmer climate and driven
to a colder climate. The noise can typically be
prevented by using Mopar Premium Diesel
Fuel Treatment as recommended (see Fuel
Operating Range Chart).
Engine Oil Usage
Refer to “Dealer Service” in “Servicing And
Maintenance” 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 decrease 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 an authorized
Mopar dealer.
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 performance. No-load engine speeds
should be kept under 1,000 RPM during the
warm-up period, especially in cold ambient
temperature conditions.
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine warm
up protection feature that may limit engine
performance after cold starting at low ambient
temperatures. The length of time engine speed
is limited is dependent upon engine coolant
temperature. Engine speed may be briefly
limited to 1000 RPM after starting with coolant
temperature below freezing conditions, and
may be limited to 1000 RPM for up to
approximately 2 minutes under more severe
cold conditions.
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226STARTING AND OPERATING
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 tempera -
ture during extended idle.
ENGINE IDLING
Avoid prolonged idling, long periods of idling
may be harmful to your engine because
combustion chamber temperatures 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. 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 also be noticeable at
speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h). This
operating mode may last for up to an hour of
idle time, or around 20 minutes of driving time.
Your truck may have been ordered with an
optional voltage monitoring idle up feature. If a
load is placed on the electrical system while the
truck is in park, this feature will attempt to
maintain normal system voltage by
automatically increasing engine idle speed. You
may notice several consecutive increases in
idle speed, up to a maximum of 1,450 RPM, as
the system will attempt to utilize the smallest
increase in idle speed necessary to maintain
normal system voltage. The idle speed will
return to normal when either the electrical load
is removed, or when the brake pedal is applied.
NOTE:
For instrument cluster display messages
related to the vehicle's exhaust system, refer to
“Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel” for further infor
-
mation.
Idle-Up Feature
The driver-controlled high idle speed feature will
help increase cylinder temperatures and
provide additional cab heat, however, excessive
idling may still cause the exhaust
aftertreatment system to not properly
regenerate. Extended periods of idle time
should be avoided.
The Idle-Up feature uses the Speed Control
switches to increase engine idle speed and
quickly warm the vehicle's interior.

1. With the transmission in PARK, the parking brake applied, and the engine running,
push the speed control switch to the ON
position, then push the SET switch.

2. The engine RPM will go up to 1,100 RPM. To increase the RPM, push and hold the
ACCEL/RESUME switch and the idle speed
will increase to approximately 1,500 RPM.
To decrease the RPM, push and hold the

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228STARTING AND OPERATING
IDLE SHUTDOWN

This feature can be enabled so that the truck will
automatically shutdown when the truck has been
idling for a set period of time when the engine is
at operating temperature. Idle time can be set in
5 minute increments between 5 and 60 minutes.
See an authorized dealer to enable this feature.

NOTE:
The idle shut down timer is disabled while the
PTO is active.
PROGRAMMABLE MAXIMUM VEHICLE
S
PEED
This feature allows the owner to set a maximum
vehicle speed for the vehicle. The 2500 and
3500 Series maximum vehicle speed can be set
between 40 mph (64 km/h) and 87 mph
(140 km/h). The 4500/5500 Series maximum
vehicle speed can be set between 40 mph
(64 km/h) and 85 mph (136 km/h). See an
authorized dealer to enable this feature.
NOTE:
DO NOT set the maximum vehicle speed to a
value greater than what the vehicle tires are
rated for.
OPERATING PRECAUTIONS
Avoid Overheating The Engine
The temperature of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) (a mixture of 50% ethylene-glycol
and 50% water) must not exceed the normal
range of the temperature gauge 240°F
(116°C) with a 21 psi (145 kPa) coolant
pressure cap.
Usually the engine coolant (antifreeze)
temperature indicated during operation will be
to the left of center in the normal range of the
gauge.
Avoid Low Coolant Temperature Operation
Continual operation at low engine coolant
(antifreeze) temperature below the normal
range on the gauge 140°F (60°C) can be
harmful to the engine. Low engine coolant
(antifreeze) temperature can cause incomplete
combustion which allows carbon and varnish to
form on piston rings and injector nozzles. Also,
the unburned fuel can enter the crankcase,
diluting the lubricating oil and causing rapid
wear to the engine.
COOLING SYSTEM TIPS
To reduce potential for engine and transmission
overheating in high ambient temperature
conditions, take the following actions:
City Driving — When stopped, shift the trans -
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine
idle speed.
Highway Driving — Reduce your speed.
Up Steep Hills — Select a lower transmission
gear.
Air Conditioning — Turn it off temporarily.
Do Not Operate The Engine With Low Oil
Pressure
When the engine is at normal operating
temperature, the minimum oil pressures
required are:
Idle 700 to 800 RPM 10 psi (69 kPa)
Full speed and load 30 psi (207 kPa)

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230STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE:
The block heater will require 110 Volts AC and
6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.
BLOCK HEATER USAGE
For ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C),
engine block heater usage is recommended.
For ambient temperatures below –20°F
(-29°C), engine block heater usage is required.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
GAS ENGINE
A long break-in period is not required for the
engine and drivetrain (transmission and axle) in
your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles
(500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km),
speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are
desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration
within the limits of local traffic laws contributes
to a good break-in. Wide-open throttle
acceleration in low gear can be detrimental and
should be avoided. 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. For the
recommended viscosity and quality grades,
refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Technical
Specifications”.
NOTE:
A new engine may consume some oil during its
first few thousand miles (kilometers) of opera
-
tion. This should be considered a normal part of
the break-in and not interpreted as a problem.
Please check your oil level with the engine oil
indicator often during the break in period. Add
oil as required.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
DIESEL ENGINE
The Cummins® Turbo Diesel engine does not
require a break-in period due to its construction.
Normal operation is allowed, providing the
following recommendations are followed:
Warm up the engine before placing it under
load.
Do not operate the engine at idle for
prolonged periods.
Use the appropriate transmission gear to
prevent engine lugging.
Observe vehicle oil pressure and tempera -
ture indicators.
Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
Vary throttle position at highway speeds
when carrying or towing significant weight.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight
Mineral Oil in the engine or damage may
result.

20_DJD2_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 230

STARTING AND OPERATING231
(Continued)
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.
For additional vehicle break-in requirements,
refer to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting And
Operating” of the Owners Manual.
Because of the construction of the Cummins®
Turbo Diesel engine, engine run-in is enhanced
by loaded operating conditions which allow the
engine parts to achieve final finish and fit during
the first 6,000 miles (10,000 km).
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the
parking brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to
leave the transmission in PARK.
The foot-operated parking brake is located
below the lower left corner of the instrument
panel. To apply the park brake, firmly push the
park brake pedal fully. To release the parking
brake, pull the parking brake release handle.
Parking Brake Release

When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition switch ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in
the instrument cluster will illuminate.
NOTE:When the parking brake is applied and the
transmission is placed in gear, the “Brake
Warning Light” will flash. If vehicle speed is
detected, a chime will sound to alert the
driver. Fully release the parking brake before
attempting to move the vehicle.
This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake
application. When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the
front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade. Apply the parking brake before placing
the gear selector in PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make
it difficult to move the gear selector out of PARK.
The parking brake should always be applied
whenever the driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never use the PARK position as a substi
-
tute for the parking brake. Always apply the
parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible
injury or damage.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child
or others could be seriously or fatally
injured.
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