Dodge 5500 Chassis Cab (2008 year). Instruction

▫ Stationary Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
▫ Mobile Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
▫ Power Take Off – Aftermarket Installation . . . . 304

m Driving On Slippery Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
m Driving Through Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305

▫ Flowing/Rising Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
▫ Shallow Standing Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305

m Driving Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
m Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
m Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309

▫ Brake Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System . . . . . . . . 310

m Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312

m Tire Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313

▫ Tire Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) . . . . . . . . . . 317
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . 318

m Tires — General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322

▫ Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
▫ Radial-Ply Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
▫ Limited Use Spare — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . 329
▫ Tire Spinning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
▫ Tread Wear Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
▫ Life Of Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
▫ Replacement Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331

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249

▫ Alignment And Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332

m Supplemental Tire Pressure Information — If

Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333

m Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
m Snow Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
m Tire Rotation Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . 335

▫ Dual Rear Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336

m Engine Runaway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
m Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337

▫ Fuel Requirements (5.7L Gas Engines) . . . . . . . 337
▫ Fuel Requirements (6.7L Diesel Engines) . . . . . 341

m Adding Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343

▫ Adding Fuel (Gas Engines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343

▫ Adding Fuel (Diesel Engines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345

m Vehicle Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347

▫ Certification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347

m Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351

▫ Common Towing Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer

Weight Ratings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356

▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
▫ Towing Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
▫ Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
▫ Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped . . . . . . 364

m Snowplow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365

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STARTING AND OPERATING

▫ Before Plowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
▫ Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . . 366
▫ Over The Road Operation With Snowplow

Attached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367

▫ Methods For Removing Snow . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
▫ Operating Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
▫ General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368

m Recreational Towing

(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369

▫ Recreational Towing – 2 Wheel Drive

Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369

▫ Recreational Towing – 4 Wheel Drive

Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369

STARTING AND OPERATING

251

STARTING PROCEDURES – GAS ENGINES

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 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.

WARNING!

Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or sleep
in your car. Accidents can be caused by inadvertently
moving the gear selection lever or by pressing the
accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive heat in
the exhaust system, resulting in overheating and
vehicle fire which may cause serious or fatal injuries.

WARNING!

Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.

Instruction Transmission – If Equipped

Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in NEUTRAL and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
before starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with
a clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start
unless the clutch is fully depressed.

Automatic Transmission – If Equipped

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

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STARTING AND OPERATING

Normal Starting

Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait 5
seconds, then repeat the starting procedure.

NOTE:

This vehicle is equipped with a transmission

shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of Park (P).

Tip Start Feature — Automatic Transmission Only
Do not

press the accelerator. Turn the ignition key briefly

to START position, and release it. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
when the engine is running.

If Engine Fails To Start

If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
normal starting procedure, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.

Ignition Key Positions

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253

CAUTION!

To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.

WARNING!

Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.

WARNING!

Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this instruction for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.

If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the normal starting procedure should be
repeated.

After Starting

The idle speed is automatically controlled and will de-
crease as the engine warms up.

STARTING PROCEDURES – DIESEL ENGINES

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 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few minutes between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.

WARNING!

STARTING AND OPERATING

255

WARNING!

Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.

Instruction Transmission – If Equipped

Automatic Transmission – If Equipped

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

The Cummins 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.

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

t 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 heated intake air system both improves engine

starting and reduces the amount of white smoke
generated by a warming engine.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

Normal Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Above 66°F (19°C)

Observe the Instrument Panel Cluster lights when start-
ing the engine.

1. Always apply the parking brake.

2. Shift into PARK for an automatic transmission. Fully
depress and hold the clutch and shift into NEUTRAL for
a instruction transmission. Models with instruction transmis-
sion are equipped with a clutch interlocking cranking
system. The clutch must be fully depressed to start the
vehicle.

3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position and look at
the instrument panel cluster lamps.

CAUTION!

If WATER IN FUEL indicator light remains on DO
NOT START engine before you drain water from the
fuel filter to avoid engine damage. See Section 7 —
Maintaining

Your

Vehicle,

for

water

drain

procedures.

4. Turn the ignition key to START and crank the engine.
Do not press the accelerator during starting.

CAUTION!

Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time as starter motor damage may result. Turn key to
OFF and wait at least two minutes before trying
again.

STARTING AND OPERATING

257

5. When the engine starts, release the key.

6. Check to see that there is oil pressure.

7. Release the parking brake.

Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 66°F (19°C)

NOTE:

The temperature displayed on the overhead

console (if equipped) does not necessarily reflect the
engine manifold air temperature. When certain engine
temperatures fall below 66°F (19°C) the lamp will remain
on indicating the intake manifold heater system is active.

Follow the steps in the Normal Starting Procedure ex-
cept:

CAUTION!

Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time or starter motor damage may result. Turn key to
OFF and wait at least 2 minutes for starter to cool
before repeating start procedure.

• The WAIT TO START light will remain on for a period

of time (length of time depends on engine tempera-
ture).

• After the WAIT TO START light goes off, turn the

ignition key to START. Do not press the accelerator
during starting.

• After engine start-up, check to see that there is oil

pressure.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

• Allow the engine to idle about three minutes until

the manifold heaters have completed the post-heat
cycle.

• Release the parking brake and drive.

NOTE:

Engine idle speed will automatically increase to

1000 rpm at low coolant temperatures to improve engine
warm-up.

NOTE:

If the engine stalls or if the ignition switch is left

On for more than 2 minutes after the WAIT TO START
light goes out, reset the grid heaters by turning the
ignition switch to Off for at least 5 seconds and then back
On. Repeat steps 3 through 7 of the normal starting
procedure.

For Extremely Cold Weather Starting — Engine
Manifold Air Temperature Below 0°F (- 18°C)
In extremely cold weather below 0°F (- 18°C) it may be
beneficial to cycle the manifold heaters 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 light has gone
off, but before the engine is started. However, repeated
cycling of the manifold heaters will result in damage to
the heater elements or reduced battery voltage.

NOTE:

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 5
seconds and then to the ON position to recycle the
manifold heaters.

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259

NOTE:

Excessive white smoke and poor engine perfor-

mance will result if manifold heaters are not recycled.

• Heat generated by the manifold heaters dissipates

rapidly in a cold engine. If more than two minutes
pass between the time the WAIT TO START light goes
OFF and the engine is started, recycle the manifold
heaters by turning the ignition OFF for at least 5
seconds and then back ON.

• If the vehicle is driven and vehicle speed exceeds 19

mph (31 km) before the manifold heater post-heat
(after start) cycle is complete, the manifold heaters will
shut off.

• If the engine is started before the WAIT TO START

light turns off, the preheat cycle will turn off.

• If the engine is cranked for more than 10 seconds, the

post-heat cycle will turn off.

NOTE:

Engine idle speed will automatically increase to

1000 rpm at low coolant temperatures to improve engine
warm-up.

NOTE:

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.

You may try priming as described below.

1. Add a substantial quantity of fuel to the tank (5 to 10
gallons) or eliminate the gelled fuel condition.

2. Crank the engine for 1 to 2 seconds. If the engine does
not start, then release the key or starter button back to the
RUN position (do not turn the key back to the OFF
position). The electric fuel transfer pump will continue to
run and purge air from the system for about 20 seconds.
After 20 seconds, attempt to start the engine again.

3. Start the engine using the Normal Starting Procedure.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

4. Repeat the procedure if the engine does not start.

WARNING!

Do not open the high pressure fuel system when
cranking the engine or with the engine running.
Engine operation causes high fuel pressure. High
pressure fuel spray can cause serious injury or death.

NOTE:

The engine may run rough until the air is forced

from all the fuel lines.

Starting Fluids

WARNING!

STARTING FLUIDS or flammable liquids are
NEVER TO BE USED in the Cummins Diesel (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 electric air
preheating system. If the instructions in this instruction are
followed, the engine should start in all conditions.

STARTING AND OPERATING

261

WARNING!

Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.

NORMAL OPERATION – DIESEL ENGINE

Observe the following when the engine is operating.

• All message center lights are off.
• Check Engine Lamp is off.
• Engine Oil Pressure is above 10 psi (69 kPa) at idle.
• Low Oil Pressure light is off.

• Voltmeter Operation:

• The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation at

various engine temperatures. This cycling operation
is caused by the post-heat cycle of the intake mani-
fold heater system. The number of cycles and the
length of the cycling operation is controlled by the
engine control module. Post-heat operation can run
for several minutes, and then the electrical system
and voltmeter needle will stabilize.

• The cycling action will cause temporary dimming of

the headlamps, interior lamps, and also a noticeable
reduction in blower motor speed.

262

STARTING AND OPERATING

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.

NOTE:

• Use of Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel or

Number 1 Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel results in a
noticeable decrease in fuel economy.

• Climatized Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel is a blend of

Number 2 Ultra Low Sulfur and Number 1 Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel Fuels which reduces the temperature at
which wax crystals form in fuel.

NOTE:

The engine requires the use of “Ultra Low

Sulfur Diesel Fuel”

. Use of incorrect fuel could result in

engine and exhaust system damage. Refer to Fuel Re-
quirements in this section for further details on fuel
recommendations.

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263

Dodge 5500 Chassis Cab (2008 year). Instruction - part 16