2004 Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup Owner Manual Diesel - Page 206

206 STARTING AND OPERATING • A heated intake air system both improves engine starting and reduces the amount of white smoke generated by a warming engine. Normal Starting Procedure - Engine Manifold AirTemperature Above 66°F (19°C) Observe the Instrument Panel Cluster lights when starting 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 manual transmission. Models with manual transmission 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. The lamps in the instrument panel cluster will illuminate when the ignition key is first turned to the ON position. This is a bulb check programmed to last for approximately 3 seconds. After the bulb check is completed, the Malfunction Indicator Light and Brake Warning light will remain on. After the bulb check is complete and the WAIT TO START indicator goes out proceed to step 4. 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.