RAM 2500 Diesel (2007 year). Manual — part 18

CAUTION!

If WATER IN FUEL indicator light remains on DO
NOT START engine before you drain water from the
fuel filter to avoid engine damage. See Section 7 —
Maintaining

Your

Vehicle,

for

water

drain

procedures.

4. Turn the ignition key to START and crank the engine.
Do not press the accelerator during starting.

CAUTION!

Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time as starter motor damage may result. Turn key to
OFF and wait at least two minutes before trying
again.

5. When the engine starts, release the key.

6. Check to see that there is oil pressure.

7. Release the parking brake.

Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 66°F (19°C)

NOTE:

The temperature displayed on the overhead

console (if equipped) does not necessarily reflect the
engine manifold air temperature. When certain engine
temperatures fall below 66°F (19°C) the lamp will remain
on indicating the intake manifold heater system is active.

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5

Follow the steps in the Normal Starting Procedure ex-
cept:

CAUTION!

Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time or starter motor damage may result. Turn key to
OFF and wait at least 2 minutes for starter to cool
before repeating start procedure.

• The WAIT TO START light will remain on for a period

of time (length of time depends on engine tempera-
ture).

• After the WAIT TO START light goes off, turn the

ignition key to START. Do not press the accelerator
during starting.

• After engine start-up, check to see that there is oil

pressure.

• Allow the engine to idle about three minutes until

the manifold heaters have completed the post-heat
cycle.

• Release the parking brake and drive.

NOTE:

Engine idle speed will automatically increase to

1000 rpm at low coolant temperatures to improve engine
warm-up.

NOTE:

If the engine stalls or if the ignition switch is left

On for more than 2 minutes after the WAIT TO START
light goes out, reset the grid heaters by turning the
ignition switch to Off for at least 5 seconds and then back
On. Repeat steps 3 through 7 of the normal starting
procedure.

For Extremely Cold Weather Starting — Engine
Manifold Air Temperature Below 0°F (- 18°C)
In extremely cold weather below 0°F (- 18°C) it may be
beneficial to cycle the manifold heaters twice before

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attempting to start the engine. This can be accomplished
by turning the ignition OFF for at least 5 seconds and
then back ON after the WAIT TO START light has gone
off, but before the engine is started. However, repeated
cycling of the manifold heaters will result in damage to
the heater elements or reduced battery voltage.

NOTE:

If multiple pre-heat cycles are used before

starting, additional engine run time may be required to
maintain battery state of charge at a satisfactory level.

• If the engine stalls after the initial start, the ignition

must be turned to the OFF position for at least 5
seconds and then to the ON position to recycle the
manifold heaters.

NOTE:

Excessive white smoke and poor engine perfor-

mance will result if manifold heaters are not recycled.

• Heat generated by the manifold heaters dissipates

rapidly in a cold engine. If more than two minutes
pass between the time the WAIT TO START light goes
OFF and the engine is started, recycle the manifold
heaters by turning the ignition OFF for at least 5
seconds and then back ON.

• If the vehicle is driven and vehicle speed exceeds 19

mph (31 km) before the manifold heater post-heat
(after start) cycle is complete, the manifold heaters will
shut off.

• If the engine is started before the WAIT TO START

light turns off, the preheat cycle will turn off.

• If the engine is cranked for more than 10 seconds, the

post-heat cycle will turn off.

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5

NOTE:

Engine idle speed will automatically increase to

1000 rpm at low coolant temperatures to improve engine
warm-up.

NOTE:

When a diesel engine is allowed to run out of

fuel or the fuel gels at low temperatures, air is pulled into
the fuel system.

You may try priming as described below.

1. Add a substantial quantity of fuel to the tank (5 to 10
gallons) or eliminate the gelled fuel condition.

2. Crank the engine for 1 to 2 seconds. If the engine does
not start, then release the key or starter button back to the
RUN position (do not turn the key back to the OFF
position). The electric fuel transfer pump will continue to
run and purge air from the system for about 20 seconds.
After 20 seconds, attempt to start the engine again.

3. Start the engine using the Normal Starting Procedure.

4. Repeat the procedure if the engine does not start.

WARNING!

Do not open the high pressure fuel system when
cranking the engine or with the engine running.
Engine operation causes high fuel pressure. High
pressure fuel spray can cause serious injury or death.

NOTE:

The engine may run rough until the air is forced

from all the fuel lines.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

Starting Fluids

WARNING!

STARTING FLUIDS or flammable liquids are
NEVER TO BE USED in the Cummins Diesel (see
Warning label). Never pour diesel fuel, flammable
liquid, starting fluids (ether) into the air cleaner
canister, air intake piping, or turbocharger inlet in an
attempt to start the vehicle. This could result in a
flash fire and explosion causing serious personal
injury and engine damage.

The engine is equipped with an automatic electric air
preheating system. If the instructions in this manual are
followed, the engine should start in all conditions.

WARNING!

Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.

NORMAL OPERATION (DIESEL ENGINE)
Observe the following when the engine is operating.

• All message center lights are off.
• Check Engine Lamp is off.
• Engine Oil Pressure is above 10 psi (69 kPa) at idle.
• Low Oil Pressure light is off.

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5

• Voltmeter Operation:

• The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation at

various engine temperatures. This cycling operation
is caused by the post-heat cycle of the intake mani-
fold heater system. The number of cycles and the
length of the cycling operation is controlled by the
engine control module. Post-heat operation can run
for several minutes, and then the electrical system
and voltmeter needle will stabilize.

• The cycling action will cause temporary dimming of

the headlamps, interior lamps, and also a noticeable
reduction in blower motor speed.

Cold Weather Precautions
Operation in ambient temperature below 32°F (0°C) may
require special considerations. The following charts sug-
gest these options:

Fuel Operating Range (5.9L Diesel Engine)

*No. 1 diesel fuel should only be used where extended
arctic conditions (-10°F/-23°C) exist.

NOTE:

• Use of Climatized Diesel Fuel or Number 1 Diesel Fuel

results in a noticeable decrease in fuel economy.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

• Climatized Diesel Fuel is a blend of Number 2 and

Number 1 Diesel Fuels which reduces the temperature
at which wax crystals form in fuel.

NOTE:

Refer to Fuel Requirements in this section for

further details on fuel recommendations.

Fuel Operating Range (6.7L Diesel Engine)

NOTE:

Use “Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuels” ONLY.

*No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel should only be used
where extended arctic conditions (-10°F/-23°C) exist.

NOTE:

• Use of Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel or

Number 1 Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel results in a
noticeable decrease in fuel economy.

• Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel is a blend of

Number 2 Ultra Low Sulfur and Number 1 Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel Fuels which reduces the temperature at
which wax crystals form in fuel.

NOTE:

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 Re-
quirements in this section for further details on fuel
recommendations.

Engine Block Heater
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the heater

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5

cord to a ground–fault interrupter protected 110–115 volt
AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire exten-
sion cord.

The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood to
the right side and can be located just behind the grille
near the headlamp.

NOTE:

The engine block heater cord is a factory in-

stalled option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater
cords are available from your authorized Mopar

威 dealer.

The block heater must be plugged in at least one hour to
have an adequate warming effect on the coolant.

WARNING!

Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110–115 volt electrical cord could
cause electrocution.

NOTE:

The block heater will require 110 Volts AC and

6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.

Block Heater Usage

A. Temperatures below 0°F (-18°C)

• Block Heater Required for 15W-40
• Block Heater Recommended for 5W-40

B. Temperatures below - 20°F (-29°C)

• Block Heater Required for 5W-40

Winter Front Usage
If a winter front or cold weather cover is to be used, a
percentage of the total grille opening area must be left
uncovered to provide sufficient air flow to the charge air
cooler and automatic transmission oil cooler. The per-
centage of opening must be increased with the increasing
ambient air temperature and/or engine load. If the
cooling fan can be heard cycling frequently, increase the

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STARTING AND OPERATING

size of the opening in the winter front. A suitable cold
weather cover is available from your Mopar

威 dealer.

Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as the battery
temperature decreases to 0°F (-18°). For the same de-
crease 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 your authorized Mopar

威 dealer.

Arctic Operation
Where there are no provisions to keep the engine warm
when it is operating in ambient temperatures consistently
below (-10°F/-23°C), use 5W-40 synthetic engine oil and
fuel that meets the requirements in Section 7, “Mainte-
nance Procedures,” Engine Oil Selection.

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 1,200 rpm during the warm-up period, especially
in cold ambient temperature conditions.

If temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), operate the engine
at moderate speeds for 5 minutes before full loads are
applied.

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5

Engine Idling — In Cold Weather
Avoid prolonged idling in ambient temperatures below
0°F. 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 and injector nozzles. Also, the
unburned fuel can enter the crankcase, diluting the oil
and causing rapid wear to the engine.

NOTE:

An optional driver-controlled high idle speed is

available on automatic transmission equipped vehicles
with speed control. This feature allows the driver to
select an elevated idle speed between 1100 and 1500
rpms. Your dealer can enable this feature.

NOTE:

• If ambient temperatures are low and the coolant

temperature is below 200°F (93°C), the engine idle

speed will slowly increase to 1000 RPM after 2 minutes
of idle, if the following conditions are met:

• foot is off brake pedal and throttle pedal
• automatic transmission is in Park (P)
• vehicle speed is zero
• Applying the throttle will cancel fast idle
• If the engine is equipped with an exhaust brake,

operating the exhaust brake at idle will greatly im-
prove warm up rate and will help keep the engine
close to operating temperature during extended idle.

CAUTION!

Use of aftermarket exhaust brakes is not recom-
mended and could lead to engine damage

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STARTING AND OPERATING

Stopping The Engine
Idle the engine a few minutes before routine shutdown.
After full load operation, idle the engine 3 to 5 minutes
before shutting it down. This idle period will allow the
lubricating oil and coolant to carry excess heat away from
the combustion chamber, bearings, internal components,
and turbocharger. This is especially important for turbo-
charged, charge air cooled engines.

NOTE:

During engine shutdown on vehicles equipped

with manual transmissions, it is normal for the diesel
engine to resonate heavily for a moment during engine
shut off. When the engine is connected to a manual
transmission, this resonance causes load gear rattle from
the transmission. This is commonly referred to as “shut
down rattle”. The manufacturer recommends performing
engine shut down with the clutch pedal pushed to the
floor (clutch disengaged). When engine shut down is
performed in this manner the rattle is reduced (not
eliminated).

Driving

Condition

Load

Turbo-

charger

Temperature

Idle Time

(min.) Be-

fore Engine

Shutdown

Stop and

Go

Empty

Cool

Less than

One

Stop and

Go

Medium

One

Highway

Speeds

Medium

Warm

Two

City Traffic

Maximum

GCWR

Three

Highway

Speeds

Maximum

GCWR

Four

Uphill

Grade

Maximum

GCWR

Hot

Five

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5

Engine Speed Control

CAUTION!

Prevent overspeeding the engine going down hill.
When descending steep grades, use a combination of
gears and service brakes to control vehicle/engine
speed. Overspeed can cause severe engine damage.

Operating Precautions

Avoid Overheating The Engine
The temperature of the coolant (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 16 psi (110 kPa) radiator cap.

Usually the coolant temperature indicated during opera-
tion will be to the left of center in the normal range of the
gauge.

Avoid Low Coolant Temperature Operation
Continual operation at low coolant temperature below
the normal range on the gauge (140°F/60°C) can be
harmful to the engine. Low coolant 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 — Automatic Transmission
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating in high ambient temperature conditions, take the
following actions:

• City Driving —
when stopped, put transmission in neutral and increase
engine idle speed.

• Highway Driving —
reduce your speed.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

• Up Steep Hills —
select a lower transmission gear, but try and keep the
torque converter locked.

• 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)

CAUTION!

If oil pressure falls to less than normal readings, shut
the engine off immediately. Failure to do so could
result in immediate and severe engine damage.

Do Not Operate The Engine With Failed Parts
Practically all failures give some warning before the parts
fail. Be on the alert for changes in performance, sounds,
and visual evidence that the engine requires service.
Some important clues are:

• engine misfiring or vibrating severely
• sudden loss of power
• unusual engine noises
• fuel, oil or coolant leaks
• sudden change, outside the normal operating range, in

the engine operating temperature

• excessive smoke
• oil pressure drop

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5

DIESEL EXHAUST BRAKE (ENGINE BRAKING) –
IF EQUIPPED
The Exhaust Brake feature is enabled and disabled by
pressing the exhaust brake switch located on the Instru-
ment Panel.

NOTE:

For optimum braking power it is recommended

to use the Exhaust Brake while in Tow/Haul Mode.

The purpose of the exhaust brake (engine braking) fea-
ture is to supply negative (braking) torque to the engine.
Typically, the engine braking is used for, but not limited
to, vehicle towing applications where vehicle braking can
be achieved by the internal engine power, thereby spar-
ing the mechanical brakes of the vehicle.

Benefits of the exhaust brake are:

• vehicle driving control
• reduced brake fade
• longer brake life
• faster cab warm-up.

Exhaust Brake Switch

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TRANSMISSION SHIFTING

Automatic Transmission with Overdrive (68RFE)
— If Equipped
The gear shift selector display, located in the instrument
panel cluster, indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The selector
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must depress the brake pedal, to pull the selector
lever out of park (P) position (Brake Interlock System). To
drive, move the selector lever from Park or Neutral to the
desired drive position. Pull the selector lever toward you
when shifting into Reverse, or Park, or when shifting out
of Park.

Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or
Neutral position into another gear range.

“P” Park
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use Park while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range. Always apply parking brake first, then place the
selector in Park position. On 4-wheel drive vehicles be
sure that the transfer case is in a drive position!

WARNING!

Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not completely in P (Park). Check by trying to
move the gearshift lever back and forth without first
pulling it toward you after you have set it in P. Make
sure it is in Park before leaving the vehicle.

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5

WARNING!

It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on
the brake pedal.

“R” Reverse
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.

“N” Neutral
Shift to Neutral when the vehicle is standing for pro-
longed periods with the engine running. The engine may
be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must
leave the vehicle.

“D” Drive
Drive range provides underdrive 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears,
direct 4th gear and overdrive 5th and 6th gears. The shift
into overdrive 5th and 6th gear occurs only after the
transmission has completed the shift into 4th gear. No
other movement of the shift mechanism is required to
complete the 4–5 or 5–6 gear shifts.

The 4th and 5th gear upshifts occurs automatically unless
the Tow/Haul mode is enabled.

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