coolant temperature Ram 3500 2011 Diesel Supplement

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 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.
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), the exhaust brake switch must
be in the ON position, and the coolant temperature must
be below 180°F (82°C) and ambient temperature below
60°F (16°C).
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 59

NEUTRAL
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine may be
started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must
leave the vehicle.
DRIVE
This range provides underdrive first, second and third
gears, direct fourth gear and overdrive fifth and sixth
gears. The shift into overdrive fifth and sixth gear occurs
only after the transmission has completed the shift into
fourth gear. No other movement of the shift mechanism
is required to complete the 4–5 or 5–6 gear shifts.
Upshifts into both overdrive gears, fifth and sixth, will be
delayed when the transmission fluid temperature is
below 40°F (4.5°C) or above 240°F (115.5°C).NOTE:
Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in second or first gear in high ambient tempera-
tures as torque converter slip can impose significant
additional heat load on the cooling system.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fifth and sixth (Overdrive). The
transmission will automatically shift from DRIVE to
Overdrive if the following conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h);
•the “TOW/HAUL” switch has not been activated;
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 65

REVERSE
This range should be used only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine may be
started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must
leave the vehicle.
DRIVE
This range provides all forward gears, including fourth
gear direct, fifth and sixth. Use this range for most city
and highway driving. Upshifts into both overdrive gears,
fifth and sixth, will be delayed when the transmission
fluid temperature is between -4°F (-20°C) and 41°F (5°C).
During very cold conditions when the transmission fluid
is below -4°F (-20°C), the transmission will be limited to
third gear. Normal operation will return after the trans-
mission fluid warms up.NOTE:
Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in second or first gear selections in high ambients
as torque converter slip can impose significant additional
heat load on the cooling system.
Overdrive Operation
The Overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fifth and sixth gear. The transmis-
sion will automatically shift from DRIVE to fifth or sixth
gear if the following conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 38 mph
(61 km/h) for fifth gear and 50 mph (80 km/h) for
sixth gear;
•the “TOW/HAUL” switch has not been activated
(sixth gear is inhibited in “TOW/HAUL” mode);
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 71

WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories con-
tain lead and lead compounds. Always wash hands
after handling the battery.
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 Volt AC
powered battery blankets will greatly increase starting
capability at low temperatures. Suitable battery blankets
are available from your authorized MOPARdealer.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser for any6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 113

accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.Cooling System – Drain, Flush and Refill
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper mainte-
nance intervals.
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze) solution.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturers recommended engine cool-
ant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
114 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or
equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below -34°F
(-37°C) are anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system. Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:
Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent engine coolant (antifreeze)
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
116 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

of this. As long as the engine operating temperature is
satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only be checked once
a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles (a
few kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor
coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in
the radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If
engine coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, the
contents of the coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine, which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
118 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant MOPARAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hy-
brid Organic Additive Technology) or equivalent.
Engine Oil In ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), 5W-40 syntheticengine oil
that meets Chrysler Materials Standard MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine
oil category is required. In ambient temperatures above 0°F (-18°C),
15W-40 engine oil that meets Chrysler Materials Standard MS-10902 and
the API CJ-4 engine oil category is required.
Engine Oil Filter MOPAREngine Oil Filter or equivalent.
Engine Fuel Filter MOPARFuel Filter or equivalent. Must meet 5 micron rating. Using a
fuel filter that does not meet the manufacturers filtration and water
separating requirements can severely impact fuel system life and reli-
ability.
Crankcase Ventilation Filter MOPAR CCV Filter or equivalent.
6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 131

Jump Starting......................... 90
Oil .............................. 98,131
Oil Filler Cap ......................... 100
Oil Synthetic ......................... 102
Runaway ............................. 81
Temperature Gauge ..................... 11
Exhaust Brake ........................... 58
Exhaust System ......................... 126
Filters Engine Fuel .......................... 104
Engine Oil ...................... 98,102,131
Flashers Turn Signal ........................... 11
Fluid, Brake ........................... 133
Fluid Capacities ......................... 130
Fluid Level Checks Brake ............................... 119
Manual Transmission ................... 121 Transfer Case
......................... 121
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 131
Fog Lights ............................. 19
Fuel ................................ 81,83
Adding .............................. 83
Conserving ........................... 30
Diesel .......................... 81,83,131
Filter ............................... 104
Gauge ............................... 11
Requirements .......................... 81
Saver Mode ........................... 30
Specifications .......................... 82
Tank Capacity ........................ 130
Gasoline (Fuel) Conserving ........................... 30
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................... 11
Fuel ................................ 11
164 INDEX

Resetting Oil Change Indicator............... 27
Resetting Perform Service Indicator ........... 138
Seat Belts Reminder ............................ 20
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 114,131
Settings, Personal ........................ 34
Shifting ............................... 60
Automatic Transmission .................. 62
Manual Transmission .................... 74
Signals, Turn ............................ 11
Speedometer ............................ 12
Starting ............................... 44
Automatic Transmission .................. 44
Engine Block Heater ................... 44,57
Manual Transmission .................... 44
Starting Procedures ....................... 44
Starting Procedures (Diesel Engines) ........... 44Steering
Wheel Lock ............................ 6
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 102
Tachometer ............................. 11
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant ........... 11
Tip Start ............................... 44
Ti re s Pressure Warning Light .................. 16
Torque Converter Clutch .................67,73
Tow/Haul ............................. 66
Traction Control ......................... 121
Traction Control Light ..................... 20
Transfer Case Fluid ............................... 133
Transmission Automatic .......................... 62,68
Fluid ............................... 133
Manual ............................ 44,74
8
INDEX 167