Ram 3500 2016 Diesel Supplement

SettingsOptions
6 Lower Gauge
•None (Default)
• Trans Temp.
• Oil Temp.
• Oil Life
• Fuel Filter Life (HD diesel only)
• Battery Voltage (diesel & CNG only)
• Exhaust Brake (HD diesel only)
• Turbo Boost (HD diesel only)
• Current MPG (not available for CNG models)
• Trailer Brake Gain
7 Odometer•000
• 000.0
8 Restore Defaults•Cancel
• OK
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 59

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES .................63
▫ Normal Starting .......................64
▫ Automatic Transmission .................64
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go ....................65
▫ Extreme Cold Weather ...................66
▫ Starting Fluids ........................67
 NORMAL OPERATION ...................68
▫ Cold Weather Precautions ................68
▫ Engine Idling .........................70
▫ Stopping The Engine ....................70 ▫
Cooling System Tips — Automatic
Transmission ..........................71
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED ....73
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ...................73
▫ Fuel Specifications .....................74
▫ Biodiesel Fuel Requirements ...............75
 DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID .................78
▫ System Overview ......................79
 ADDING FUEL — 1500 DIESEL MODELS ......80
▫ Avoid Using Contaminated Fuel ............83
4

▫Bulk Fuel Storage — Diesel Fuel ...........83
▫ Diesel Exhaust Fluid Storage ..............83▫
Adding Diesel Exhaust Fluid ..............84
62 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, both inside
and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
The starter is allowed to crank for up to 30-second
intervals. Waiting a few minutes between such intervals
will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
•Before exiting a vehicle, always shift the automatic
transmission into PARK and apply the parking
brake. Always make sure the keyless ignition node
is in the “OFF” mode, 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. Leaving children 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 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 ignition of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode.
A child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 63

NOTE:Engine start up in very low ambient temperature
could result in evident white smoke. This condition will
disappear as the engine warms up.
CAUTION!
• The engine is allowed to crank as long as 30
seconds. If the engine fails to start during this
period, please wait at least two minutes for the
starter to cool before repeating start procedure.
• If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on,
DO NOT START engine before you drain the water
from the fuel filters to avoid engine damage. Refer
to “Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water
Separator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for
further information.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key fob to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start, turn the
key fob to the OFF position, wait five seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the transmission gear selector in the
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Tip Start Feature
Do not press the accelerator. Cycle the ignition switch
briefly to the START position and release it. The starter
motor will continue to run but will automatically disen-
gage when the engine is running.
64 STARTING AND OPERATING

Keyless Enter-N-Go
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the Remote
Start/Keyless Enter-N-Go Key Fob is
in the passenger compartment.
Normal Starting Procedure — Keyless Enter-N-Go
Observe the instrument panel cluster lights when starting
the engine.
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal
1. Always apply the parking brake. 2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the
ENGINE START/STOP button once.
NOTE: A delay of the start of up to five seconds is
possible under very cold conditions. The Wait to Start
telltale will be illuminated during the pre-heat process,
When the engine Wait To Start light goes off the engine
will automatically crank.
CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START the engine before you drain the water
from the fuel filters to avoid engine damage. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Sepa-
rator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 65

3. The system will automatically engage the starter tocrank the engine. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter
will disengage automatically after 25 seconds.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine starting, push the button again.
5. Check that the oil pressure warning light has turned off.
6. Release the parking brake.
Extreme Cold Weather
The engine block heater is a resistance heater installed in
the water jacket of the engine. It requires a 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 overnight or longer periods and should be plugged in two hours prior to
start. Its use is required for cold starts with temperatures
under -20°F (-28°C).
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
dealer.
•
A 12 Volt heater built into the fuel filter housing aids in
preventing fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in
thermostat.
• A Diesel Pre-Heat system both improves engine start-
ing and reduces the amount of white smoke generated
by a warming engine.
66 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
keyless ignition node is in the “OFF” mode, re-
move 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 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 ignition of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode.
A child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 67

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
68 STARTING AND OPERATING