Ram 2500 2014 Diesel Supplement

allow the lubricating oil and coolant to carry excess heat
away from the combustion chamber, bearings, internal
components, and turbocharger. This is especially impor-
tant for turbocharged, charge air-cooled engines.
NOTE:
•During engine shut down on vehicles equipped with
manual transmissions, it is normal for the diesel en-
gine 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).
•Refer to the following chart for proper engine shut-
down.
Driving
ConditionLoadTurbo-
charger
Tempera-
tureIdle Time
(min.)
Before
Engine
Shutdown
Stop and
GoEmpty Cool Less than
One
Stop and
GoMedium One
Highway
SpeedsMedium Warm Two
City Traffic Maximum
GCWRThree
Highway
SpeedsMaximum
GCWRFour
Uphill
GradeMaximum
GCWRHot Five
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STARTING AND OPERATING 219

Idle Shutdown
This feature can be enabled so that the truck will auto-
matically 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 your local authorized
dealer to enable this feature.
Programmable Maximum Vehicle Speed (Chassis
Cab Only)
This feature allows the owner to set a maximum vehicle
speed for the vehicle. The 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 your local 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 16 psi (110 kPa) radiator cap.
Usually the engine coolant (antifreeze) temperature indi-
cated 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 combus-
tion 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.
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

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, 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.
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
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
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STARTING AND OPERATING 221

•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.
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 installed
option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater cords are
available from your authorized MOPAR® 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
For ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), engine
block heater usage is recommended.
222 STARTING AND OPERATING

For ambient temperatures below –20°F (-29°C), engine
block heater usage is required.
DIESEL EXHAUST BRAKE (ENGINE BRAKING)
The purpose of the exhaust brake (engine braking) fea-
ture is to supply negative (braking) torque from 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 sparing the mechanical brakes of the vehicle.
Benefits of the exhaust brake are:
•vehicle driving control
•reduced brake fade
•longer brake life
•faster cab warm-upThe exhaust brake feature will only function when the
driver toggles it on by pushing the exhaust brake button
until theExhaust Brake Indicatoris illuminated. Nor-
mal (Full Strength) exhaust brake mode is indicated by a
yellowExhaust Brake Indicator.
Exhaust Brake Switch
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STARTING AND OPERATING 223

Once theExhaust Brake Indicator” is illuminated and
the vehicle is moving faster than 5 mph (8 km/h); the
exhaust brake will automatically operate when the driver
removes pressure from the accelerator pedal. Exhaust
braking is most effective when the engine RPM is higher.
The automatic transmission will downshift more aggres-
sively in TOW/HAUL mode when the exhaust brake is
enabled to increase brake performance.
CAUTION!
Use of aftermarket exhaust brakes is not recom-
mended and could lead to engine damage
WARNING!
Do not use the exhaust brake feature when driving in
icy or slippery conditions as the increased engine
braking can cause the rear wheels to slide and the
vehicle to swing around with the possible loss of
vehicle control, which may cause an accident possi-
bly resulting in personal injury or death.
NOTE:For optimum braking power it is recommended
to use the exhaust brake while in TOW/HAUL mode.
The exhaust brake feature can also be used to reduce the
engine warm up time. To use the exhaust brake as a
warm-up device, the vehicle must be stopped or moving
less than 5 mph (8 km/h), theExhaust Brake Indicator
must be on, and the coolant temperature must be below
180°F (82°C) and ambient temperature below 60°F (16°C).
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

Automatic Smart Exhaust Brake
Automatic Exhaust Brake technology delivers smoother,
less aggressive exhaust braking characteristics during
downhill descents. Although it can apply full exhaust
braking force if needed, Automatic Exhaust Brake may
not apply obvious braking if the vehicle speed is not
increasing. Automatic Exhaust Brake is intended to main-
tain vehicle speed, while Full Exhaust Brake is intended
to reduce vehicle speed.
Automatic Exhaust Brake can be enabled by pushing the
exhaust brake button again anytime after the normal Full
Exhaust Brake has been turned on. The “Exhaust Brake
Indicator” in the EVIC will change from Yellow to Green
when Automatic Exhaust Brake is enabled. Pushing the
exhaust brake button again will toggle the exhaust brake
mode to off.AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
•Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle
speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 225

WARNING!
•It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the
parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
turn the engine OFF, and remove the key fob. When
the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF (key removal)
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
position, the transmission is locked in PARK, se-
curing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
•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.
•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.
(Continued)
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children), 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.
NOTE:You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the transmission to be in PARK
before the ignition switch can be turned to the LOCK/
OFF (key removal) position. The key fob can only be
removed from the ignition when the ignition is in theLOCK/OFF position, and the transmission is locked in
PARK whenever the ignition switch is in the LOCK/OFF
position.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in PARK
unless the brakes are applied. To shift the transmission
out of PARK, the ignition switch must be turned to the
ON/RUN position (engine running or not) and the brake
pedal must be pressed.
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Chassis Cab models (with automatic transmission) use
the AS69RC transmission (which is equipped with a
Power Take-Off [PTO] access cover on the side of the
transmission case). Pickup models may use either the
AS69RC transmission, or the 68RFE transmission (which
has no PTO access cover).
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STARTING AND OPERATING 227

The transmission gear position display (located in the
instrument cluster) indicates the transmission gear range.
The shift lever is mounted on the right side of the steering
column. You must press the brake pedal to move the shift
lever out of PARK (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift
Interlock System” in this section). To drive, move the shift
lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
Pull the shift lever toward you when shifting into RE-
VERSE or PARK, or when shifting out of PARK.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer toElectronic Range Select (ERS)
Operationin this section for further information). Press-
ing the ERS (-/+) switches (on the shift lever) while in the
DRIVE position will select the highest available transmis-
sion gear, and will display that gear in the instrument
cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING