2020 RAM 2500 Owner’s Manual — STARTING THE ENGINE — DIESEL ENGINE

STARTING AND OPERATING

Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.

The starter should not be operated for more than 25-second intervals. Waiting a few minutes between such intervals will protect the starter from overheating.

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, remove the key fob from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.

Start the engine with the transmission in the NEUTRAL or PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any driving range.

Do not press the accelerator. Cycle the ignition switch briefly to the START position and release it. The starter motor will continue to run and will automatically disengage when the engine is running.

Keyless Push Button Ignition

This feature allows the driver to operate the igni- tion switch with the push of a button, as long as the Remote Start/Keyless Enter-N-Go key fob is in the passenger compartment.

The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.

Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button once.

The system takes over and attempts to start the vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically after 25 seconds.

If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine starting, remove your foot from the brake pedal and push the ENGINE START/STOP button again.

Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal.

Under cold weather conditions, the engine may not immediately crank if the “Wait To Start” telltale is illuminated. This is normal operation. For vehicles equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go, the vehicle will automat- ically crank when the “Wait To Start” time has elapsed. See the section “Starting Procedure Engine Manifold Air Temperature 0°F to 66°F (18°C to 19°C)” for more information.

Place the gear selector in PARK, then push and release the ENGINE START/STOP button.

The ignition will return to the OFF mode.

If the gear selector is not in PARK and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pushed once, the instrument cluster will display a “Vehicle Not In Park” message and the engine will remain running. Never leave a vehicle out of the PARK position, or it could roll.

If the gear selector is in NEUTRAL, and the vehicle speed below 5 mph (8 km/h), pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button once will turn the engine off. The ignition will remain in the ACC mode. If the vehicle speed is above 5 mph (8 km/h), the ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two seconds (or three short pushes in a row) to turn the engine off. The ignition will remain in the ACC mode (NOT the OFF mode) if the engine is turned off when the transmis- sion is not in PARK.

If the ignition is left in the ACC or ON/RUN (engine not running) mode and the transmis- sion is in PARK, the system will automatically time out after 30 minutes of inactivity and the ignition return to the OFF mode.

The ENGINE START/STOP button operates similar to an ignition switch. It has three posi- tions, OFF, ACC, RUN. To change the ignition switch positions without starting the vehicle and use the accessories follow these steps:

Starting with the ignition in the OFF posi- tion:

Push the ENGINE START/STOP button once to change the ignition to the ACC position.

Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time to change the ignition to the RUN position.

Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time to return the ignition to the OFF position.

The temperature displayed in the instrument cluster does not necessarily reflect the engine manifold air temperature. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

When engine temperatures fall below 66°F (19°C) the “Wait To Start” telltale will remain on indicating the intake air heater system is active.

Follow the steps in the “Normal Starting” proce- dure except:

Pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button with the driver’s foot on the brake will move the ignition from OFF or ACC to RUN, and will illuminate the “Wait To Start” tell- tale. The engine will not immediately crank, this is normal operation.

The “Wait To Start” telltale will remain on for a period of time that varies depending on the engine temperature.

While the “Wait to Start” telltale is on, the instrument cluster will additionally display a gauge or bar whose initial length represents the full “Wait to Start” time period. Its length will decrease until it disappears when the “Wait to Start” time has elapsed.

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 “Draining Fuel/ Water Separator Filter” in “Servicing And Maintenance” for further information.

After the engine “Wait To Start” telltale goes off, the engine will automatically crank.

CAUTION!

Do not crank engine for more than 25 seconds at a time or starter motor damage may result. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and wait at least two minutes for the starter to cool before repeating start procedure.

After engine start-up, check to see that there is oil pressure. Release the parking brake and drive. Engine idle speed will automatically increase to 1,000 RPM and engage the Variable Geometry Turbocharger at low coolant temperatures to improve engine warm-up. The engine will not automatically crank after the engine “Wait To Start” telltale goes off if a door or the hood is ajar. If the engine stalls, or if the ignition switch is left ON for more than two minutes after the “Wait To Start” telltale goes out, reset the intake air heater by turning the ignition switch to the OFF position for at least 5 seconds and then back ON. Repeat steps 1 through 7 of “Keyless Enter-N-Go Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air Tempera- ture Below 66° F (19° C).”

The Cummins® Turbo Diesel engine is equipped with several features designed to assist cold weather starting and operation:

The engine block heater is a resistance heater installed in the water jacket of the engine just above and behind the oil filter. It requires a 110–115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.

The engine block heater cord is a factory installed option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater cords are available from an authorized Mopar dealer.

A 12 Volt heater built into the fuel filter hous- ings aid in preventing fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in thermostat.

A intake air heater system both improves engine starting and reduces the amount of white smoke generated by a warming engine.

Observe the instrument panel cluster lights when starting the engine.

Always apply the parking brake.

Shift into PARK for an automatic transmis- sion.

Place the ignition switch in the ON position and watch the instrument panel cluster lights.

CAUTION!

Place the ignition switch in the START posi- tion and crank the engine. Do not press the accelerator during starting.

CAUTION!

Check that the oil pressure warning light has turned off.

Release the parking brake.

When engine temperatures fall below 66°F (19°C) the “Wait To Start Light” will remain on indicating the intake air heater system is active.

Follow the steps in the “Normal Starting” proce- dure except:

The “Wait To Start” telltale will remain on for a period of time that varies depending on the engine temperature.

While the “Wait To Start” telltale is on, the instrument cluster will additionally display a gauge or bar whose initial length represents the full “Wait To Start” time period. Its length will decrease until it disappears when the “Wait To Start” time has elapsed.

CAUTION!

After the “Wait To Start” telltale goes off, place the ignition switch in the START posi- tion. Do not press the accelerator during starting.

CAUTION!

After engine start-up, check that the oil pressure warning light has turned off. Release the parking brake and drive.

NOTE:

Engine idle speed will automatically increase to 1,000 RPM and engage the Variable Geometry Turbocharger at low coolant temperatures to improve engine warm-up.

Automatic equipped vehicles with optional Keyless Enter-N-Go – If the start button is pushed once while in park with the ignition off and driver’s foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle will automatically crank and start after the Wait to Start time has elapsed. If it is desired to abort the start process before it completes, the driver’s foot should be fully removed from the brake pedal prior to pushing the start button again in order for the ignition to move directly to off.

If the engine stalls, or if the ignition switch is left ON for more than two minutes after the “Wait To Start” telltale goes out, reset the intake air heater by turning the ignition switch to the OFF position for at least five seconds and then back ON. Repeat steps 1 through 5 of “Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air Temperature Below 66°F (19°C).”

In extremely cold weather below 0°F (-18°C) it may be beneficial to cycle the intake air heater twice before attempting to start the engine. This can be accomplished by turning the ignition OFF for at least 5 seconds and then back ON after the “Wait To Start” telltale has turned off, but before the engine is started. However, exces- sive cycling of the intake air heater will result in damage to the heater elements or reduced battery voltage.

If multiple pre-heat cycles are used before starting, additional engine run time may be required to maintain battery state of charge at a satisfactory level. If the engine stalls after the initial start, the ignition must be turned to the OFF position for at least five seconds and then to the ON position to recycle the intake air heater. Excessive white smoke and poor engine perfor- mance will result if intake air heater are not recycled.

Heat generated by the intake air heater dissipates rapidly in a cold engine. If more than two minutes pass between the time the “Wait To Start” telltale turns off and the engine is started, recycle the intake air heater by turning the ignition switch to the OFF position for at least five seconds and then back ON.

If the vehicle is driven and vehicle speed exceeds 19 mph (31 km/h) before the intake air heater post-heat (after start) cycle is complete, the intake air heater will shut off.

If the engine is cranked for more than 10 seconds, the post-heat cycle will turn off. Engine idle speed will automatically increase to 1,000 RPM and engage the Variable Geometry Turbocharger at low coolant temperatures to improve engine warm-up.

When a diesel engine is allowed to run out of fuel or the fuel gels at low temperatures, air is pulled into the fuel system. If your engine has run out of fuel, refer to “Dealer Service/ Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of Fuel” in “Servicing And Maintenance” for further information. If the engine stalls, or if the ignition switch is left ON for more than two minutes after the “Wait To Start” telltale goes out, reset the intake air heater by turning the ignition switch to the OFF position for at least 5 seconds and then back ON. Repeat steps

1 through 5 of “Starting Procedure – Engine Manifold Air Temperature Below 66°F (19°C).”

WARNING!

Starting fluids or flammable liquids must never be used in the Cummins diesel engine (see Warning label). Never pour diesel fuel, flammable liquid, starting fluids (ether) into the air cleaner canister, air intake piping, or turbocharger inlet in an attempt to start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire and explosion causing serious personal injury and engine damage.

The engine is equipped with an automatic elec- tric air preheating system. If the instructions in this manual are followed, the engine should start in all conditions.

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, remove the key fob from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.

WARNING!

Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to be in a vehicle unat- tended 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 chil- dren, 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.

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