
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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING265
case into 4WD LOW and proceed with
caution. You should use first gear and 4WD
LOW for very steep hills.
Driving Uphill – Once you have determined
your ability to proceed and have shifted into
the appropriate gear, line your vehicle up for
the straightest possible run. Accelerate with
an easy constant throttle and apply more
power as you start up the hill. Do not race
forward into a steep grade, the abrupt
change of grade could cause you to lose
control. If the front end begins to bounce,
ease off the throttle slightly to bring all four
tires back on the ground. As you approach
the crest of the hill ease off the throttle and
slowly proceed over the top. If the wheels
start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain
headway by turning the steering wheel no
more than a quarter turn quickly back and
forth. This will provide a fresh "bite" into the
surface and will usually provide enough trac -
tion to complete the climb. If you do not make
it to the top, place the vehicle in REVERSE
and back straight down the grade using
engine resistance along with the vehicle
brakes.
Driving Downhill – Before driving down a
steep hill you need to determine if it is too
steep for a safe descent. What is the surface
traction? Is the grade too steep to maintain a
slow controlled descent? Are there obsta -
cles? Is it a straight descent? Is there plenty
of distance at the base of the hill to regain
control if the vehicle descends too fast? If
you feel confident in your ability to proceed
then make sure you are in 4WD LOW with the
transmission in FIRST gear (manually select
FIRST gear on automatic transmissions) and
proceed with caution. Allow engine braking to
control the descent and apply your brakes if
necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock.
Driving Across An Incline – If at all possible
avoid driving across an incline. If it is neces -
sary, know your vehicle's abilities. Driving
across an incline places more weight on the
downhill wheels, which increases the possi -
bilities of a downhill slide or rollover. Make
sure the surface has good traction with firm
and stable soils. If possible transverse the
incline at an angle heading slightly up or
down.
WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or
turn around on a steep grade. Driving across
an incline increases the risk of a roll over,
which may result in severe injury or death.
WARNING!
Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL. Use
vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine
braking. Descending a grade too fast could
cause you to lose control and be seriously
injured or killed.
WARNING!
Driving across an incline increases the risk of
a rollover, which may result in severe injury.
5
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE449
If you detect any stone chips or scratches in
the paint, touch them up immediately. The
cost of such repairs is considered the respon -
sibility of the owner.
If your vehicle is damaged due to a collision
or similar cause that destroys the paint and
protective coating, have your vehicle repaired
as soon as possible. The cost of such repairs
is considered the responsibility of the owner.
If you carry special cargo such as chemicals,
fertilizers, de-icer salt, etc., be sure that such
materials are well packaged and sealed.
If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads,
consider mud or stone shields behind each
wheel.
Use Mopar Touch Up Paint on scratches as
soon as possible. An authorized dealer has
touch up paint to match the color of your
vehicle.
Spray-On Bedliner – If Equipped
During ownership, the shine and luster of the
Spray-On Bedliner can fade from oxidation, road
dirt, heavy-duty hauling and hard water stains. Weathering and UV exposure will lead to fading,
dulling, and loss of gloss over time.
To help maintain the appearance of your
Spray-On Bedliner, the manufacturer
recommends you periodically rinse all loose dirt
from your truck bed and clean your truck at
least twice per year using the Mopar Spray-On
Bedliner Conditioner available at a local
authorized dealer.
To Help Maintain The Appearance Of Your
Spray-On Bedliner, Follow The Steps Below:
1. Rinse your truck bed out with water to remove any loose dirt and debris.
2. Mix a mild soap or detergent with water with a soft cloth or brush.
3. Rinse bedliner with water.
4. Once dry, apply a small amount of Mopar Spray-On Bedliner Conditioner to a moist
towel or sponge and wipe over the entire
surface of the truck bedliner. Spray-On Bedliners are chemically-resistant to
many different types of chemicals (including
gasoline, oil, hydraulic fluids) for short periods
of time. If a spill occurs on your Spray-On
Bedliner, rinse the truck out as soon as possible
to avoid permanent damage.
Repairing The Spray-On Bedliner
While extremely tough, it is possible to damage
a Spray-On Bedliner. One common condition is
when loading a heavy pallet and dragging that
pallet across the floor of the bed. If a nail or
sharp point is exposed under the weight of the
pallet a scratch or tear is possible. While not
covered by your new vehicle warranty, a
cosmetic fix to cover the metal exposed by the
scratch is required. To repair a tear or gouge,
follow the directions provided in the Mopar
Quick Repair Kit.
WARNING!
Do not use silicon-based protection products
to clean your bedliner. Silicon-based products
can become slippery and may result in
personal injury.
7
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555
Four-Way Hazard Flasher
............................... 346Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................................. 380Front Axle (Differential).................................. 424Fuel..................................................... 454, 456Adding............................................. 319, 320Additives................................................... 454Capacity.................................................... 460Clean Air.................................................... 454Diesel.............................................. 456, 464Ethanol...................................................... 454Filler Cap (Gas Cap)................................... 320Filter.......................................................... 409Gasoline.................................................... 454Light.......................................................... 135Materials Added........................................ 454Methanol................................................... 454Octane Rating................................. 454, 461Requirements........................ 454, 456, 459Specifications............................................ 457Tank Capacity............................................ 459Fueling........................................................... 320Fuses............................................................. 358
G
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink).................... 76Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)............................... 320Gasoline, Clean Air........................................ 454Gasoline, Reformulated................................. 454Gauges Voltage...................................................... 223
Gear Ranges................................................. 240Gear Selector Override................................. 377Glass Cleaning.............................................. 451Gross Axle Weight Rating.............................. 326Gross Vehicle Weight Rating......................... 325GuideBody Builders.............................................. 12GVWR............................................................ 324
H
HazardDriving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing Water
....................... 343Hazard Warning Flashers.............................. 346Head Restraints............................................... 38Head Rests...................................................... 38Headlights.................................................... 353Automatic High Beam.................................. 49Cleaning................................................... 447High Beam................................................... 49Lights On Reminder..................................... 51Passing........................................................ 50Switch.......................................................... 48Heated Mirrors................................................. 46Heater, Engine Block.................................... 229Hill Descent Control...................................... 149Hill Descent Control Indicator....................... 149Hill Start Assist.............................................. 151HitchesTrailer Towing........................................... 329
Hoisting......................................................... 429HomeLink (Garage Door Opener).....................76Hood Prop........................................................74Hood Release...................................................74Hub Caps...................................................... 374
I
Idle-Up Feature............................................. 226Ignition.............................................................17Switch..........................................................17Illuminated Entry..............................................54In Vehicle HelpVehicle User Guide......................................13Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 42, 43, 346Instrument Cluster............................... 110, 112Descriptions.............................................. 141Display...................................................... 113Engine Oil Reset....................................... 115Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning................... 451Integrated Trailer Brake Control.................... 332Interior Appearance Care.............................. 450Interior Lights...................................................53Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)..................55Intervention Regeneration Strategy..... 125, 413Introduction.....................................................11Inverter Outlet (115V)......................................88iPod/USB/MP3 Control................................. 53811
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