Ram 1500 2015 Diesel Supplement

Starting Fluids
The engine is equipped with a glow plug preheating
system. If the instructions in this manual are followed,
the engine should start in all conditions and no type of
starting fluid should be used.
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
ignition is in the OFF position, remove the key fob
from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended 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 transmission gear selector. Do not leave the
key fob in or near the vehicle (or in a location
accessible to children), and do not leave the igni-
tion (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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 79

NORMAL OPERATION
Observe the following when the diesel engine is operat-
ing.
•All message center lights are off.
• Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is off.
• Engine Oil Pressure telltale is not illuminated.
• Voltmeter operation:
The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation at various
engine temperatures. This is caused by the glow plug
heating system. The number of cycles and the length of
the cycling operation is controlled by the engine control
module. Glow plug heater operation can run for several
minutes, once the heater operation is complete the volt-
meter needle will stabilize.
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
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.
Fuel Operating Range Chart
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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.
• 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 “Starting And Operating” for fur-
ther information.Engine Oil Usage
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for the correct engine oil viscosity.
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.
If temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), operate the engine
at moderate speeds for five minutes before full loads are
applied.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 81

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, cylinder head valves,
and injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can enter
the crankcase, diluting the oil and causing rapid wear to
the engine.
Stopping The Engine
After full load operation, idle the engine for a few
minutes before shutting it down. This idle period will
allow the lubricating oil and coolant to carry excess heat
away from the turbocharger.
NOTE:Refer to the following chart for proper engine
shutdown.
Driving Condition LoadTurbocharger
Temperature Idle Time (min.) Before
Engine Shutdown
Stop and Go EmptyCoolNone
Stop and Go Medium 0.5
Highway Speeds MediumWarm 1.0
City Traffic Maximum GCWR 1.5
Highway Speeds Maximum GCWR 2.0
Uphill Grade Maximum GCWR Hot2.5
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NOTE:Under certain conditions the engine fan will run
after the engine is turned off. These conditions are under
high load and high temperature conditions.
Cooling System Tips — Automatic Transmission
To reduce the potential for engine and transmission
overheating in high ambient temperature conditions,
take the following actions:
• City Driving — When stopped, shift the transmission
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.
NOTE: If the coolant temperature is too high the A/C
will automatically turn off.
Do Not Operate The Engine With Low Oil
Pressure
If the low oil pressure warning light turns on while
driving, stop the vehicle and shut down the engine as
soon as possible. A chime will sound when the light turns
on.
NOTE: Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is
corrected. This light does not show how much oil is in the
engine. The engine oil level must be checked under the
hood.
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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 83

Do Not Operate The Engine With Failed Parts
All engine 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
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the heater
cord to a ground-fault interrupter protected 110–115 Volt
AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire exten-
sion cord.
Its use is recommended for environments that routinely
fall below -10°F (-23°C). It should be used when the
vehicle has not been running for long periods of time and
should be plugged in two hours prior to start. Its use is
required for cold starts with temperatures under -20°F
(-28°C).
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
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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.
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
Testing 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 the fuel filter housing. If you buy good
quality fuel and follow the cold weather advice above,
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fuel conditioners 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 fur-
ther information.
Fuel Specifications
This 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.NOTE:
•
If you accidentally fill the fuel tank with gasoline on
your diesel vehicle, do not start the engine. Damage to
the engine and fuel system could occur. Please call
your authorized dealer for service.
• A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM
specification D-975 may be used with your diesel
engine without any adjustments to regular service
schedules.
• Commercially available fuel additives are not neces-
sary for the proper operation of your diesel engine.
• No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel should only be used
where extended arctic conditions (-10°F or -23°C) exist.
86 STARTING AND OPERATING

Biodiesel Fuel Requirements
A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM speci-
fication D975 is recommended for use with your diesel
engine. If frequent operation with Biodiesel blends that
are between 6% and 20% (B6–B20) is desired, the main-
tenance schedule is subject to shorter intervals.
The oil and filter change along with fuel filter replace-
ment is subject to shorter intervals when operating your
engine on biodiesel greater than 5%. Do not use biodiesel
greater than 20%.
For regular use of biodiesel blends between 6% and 20%
(B6–B20) it is important that you understand and comply
with these requirements. Refer to the “Maintenance
Chart” in the “Maintenance Schedules” section for fur-
ther direction.
CAUTION!
Failure to comply with Oil Change requirements for
vehicles operating on biodiesel blends between 6%
and 20% (B6–B20) will result in premature engine
wear. Such wear is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Biodiesel is a fuel produced from renewable resources
typically derived from animal fat, rapeseed oil (Rapeseed
Methyl Ester (RME) base), or soybean oil (Soy Methyl
Ester (SME or SOME) base).
Biodiesel fuel has inherent limitations which require that
you understand and adhere to the following requirements
if you use blends of Biodiesel between 6% and 20%
(B6–B20). There are no unique restrictions for the use of B5.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 87

CAUTION!
Use of blends greater than 20% is not approved. Use
of blends greater than 20% can result in engine
damage. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Biodiesel Fuel Properties — Low Ambient
Temperatures
Biodiesel fuel may gel or solidify at low ambient tem-
peratures, which may pose problems for both storage and
operation. Precautions can be necessary at low ambient
temperatures, such as storing the fuel in a heated build-
ing or a heated storage tank, or using cold temperature
additives.
Fuel Quality — Must Comply With ASTM
Standards
The quality of Biodiesel fuel may vary widely. Only fuel
produced by a BQ9000 supplier to the following specifi-
cations may be blended to meet Biodiesel blend B6 – B20
fuel meeting ASTM specification D-7467:
•Petrodiesel fuel meeting ASTM specification D-975
and Biodiesel fuel (B100) meeting ASTM specification
D-6751
Fuel Oxidation Stability — Must Use Fuel Within
Six Months Of Manufacture
Biodiesel fuel has poor oxidation stability which can
result in long term storage problems. Fuel produced to
approved ASTM standards, if stored properly, provides
for protection against fuel oxidation for up to six months.
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