oil temperature Ram 3500 2011 Diesel Supplement

Engine Speed Control
CAUTION!
Prevent overspeeding the engine going downhill.
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 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.
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.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 55

•Up Steep Hills —
Select a lower transmission gear, but try and keep the
torque converter clutch engaged.
•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 ............... 10psi(69kPa)
Full speed and load .............. 30psi (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
56 STARTING AND OPERATING

In ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), SAE 5W-40
syntheticengine oil that meets Chrysler Materials Stan-
dard MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine oil category is
required.
CAUTION!
Failure to use SAE 5W-40 synthetic engine oil in
ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) could result
in severe engine damage.
Engine oil not designated by the Chrysler or Cummins
Material Standards and API CJ-4 should not be used, as
engine and exhaust system durability may be compro-
mised. The engine oil filler cap also shows the recom-
mended engine oil viscosity for your engine. For infor-
mation on engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine
Compartment” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 101

Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
Lubricant Selection
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Fluid Level Check – 68RFE (Ram Truck Only)
If your vehicle is equipped with a dipstick, use the
following procedure. If your vehicle has a capped dip-
stick tube, it is sealed and should not be tampered with.
Your authorized dealer has the proper tools to ensure that
the fluid level is set properly. The fluid level should be
checked when the engine is fully warmed up and the
fluid in the transmission is at normal operating tempera-
ture. Operation of the transmission with an improper
fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the transmission
and of the fluid. Check the fluid level whenever the
vehicle is serviced.
To properly check the automatic transmission fluid level,
the following procedure must be used:1. Operate the engine at idle speed and normal operating
temperature.
2. The vehicle must be on level ground.
3. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake
pedal.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion ending with the shift lever in PARK.
5. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
6. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level should be between the “HOT”
(upper) reference holes on the dipstick at normal operat-
ing temperature. Verify that solid coating of oil is seen on
both sides of the dipstick. If the fluid is low, add as
required into the dipstick tube.
Do not overfill.After
adding any quantity of oil through the oil fill tube, wait
a minimum of two minutes for the oil to fully drain into
the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
122 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

3. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake
pedal.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion ending with the shift lever in PARK. Make sure the
engine is running at idle speed.
5. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot
or cold. Hot fluid is approximately 160°F to 175°F (70°C
to 82°C). This is the normal operating temperature after
the vehicle has been driven at least 15 miles (25 km). The
fluid cannot be comfortably held between the fingertips.
Only use the cold region of the dipstick as a rough
reference when doing initial oil level set after transmis-
sion rebuild or transmission refill.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert it until seated.
7. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level should be between the HOT(upper) reference holes on the dipstick at normal operat-
ing temperature. Verify that a solid coating of oil is seen
on both sides of the dipstick. If the fluid is low, add
MOPAR
AS68RC Automatic Transmission Fluid or
equivalent as required into the dipstick tube. Do not
overfill. Never use any ATF other than MOPAR
AS68RC Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
After adding any quantity of oil through the dipstick
tube, wait a minimum of two minutes for the oil to fully
drain into the transmission before rechecking the fluid
level.
NOTE: If it is necessary to check the transmission below
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two COLD (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 70°F to 85°F (20°C to
30°C). If the fluid level is correctly established at room
temperature, it should be between the HOT (upper)
reference holes when the transmission reaches 160°F to
175°F (70°C to 82°C).
124 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
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INDEX 167