Your diesel engine starts differently than a gasoline engine.

Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine won't start in any other position--that's a safety feature. To restart when you're already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.

Notice: Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the vehicle is stopped.

Move your shift lever to neutral and hold the clutch pedal to the floor while starting the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down--that's a safety feature.

1. Turn your ignition key to RUN.

Observe the wait to start light. See Wait to Start Light . This light may not come on if the engine is hot.

2. As soon as the wait to start light goes off, IMMEDIATELY turn the ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key.

If your vehicle is equipped with the RPO LLY engine, it has a fast warm-up glow plug system. The wait to start light will illuminate for a much shorter time than most diesel engines, due to the rapid heating of the glow plug system.

Notice: Holding the key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause the battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage the starter motor.

Notice: If the wait to start light stays on after starting the vehicle, the vehicle may not run properly. Have the vehicle serviced right away.

3. If the engine does not start after 15 seconds of cranking, turn the ignition key to OFF. Wait one minute for the starter to cool, then try the same steps again.

If you're trying to start your engine after you've run out of fuel, follow the steps in Running Out of Fuel .

When your engine is cold, let it run for a few minutes before you move your vehicle. This lets oil pressure build up. Your engine will sound louder when it's cold.

Notice: If you are not in an idling vehicle and the engine overheats, you would not be there to see the overheated engine indication. This could damage the vehicle. Do not let the engine run when you are not in the vehicle.

The following tips will help you get good starting in cold weather.

Use the recommended engine oil when the outside temperature drops below freezing. See Engine Oil . When the outside temperature drops below 0° F (-18°C), use of the engine coolant heater is recommended.

If you experience longer cranking times, notice an unusual amount of exhaust smoke or are at higher altitudes (over 7,000 ft. or 2 135 m), you may use your engine coolant heater. See Engine Coolant Heater .

See Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System for information on what fuel to use in cold weather.

If you've run out of fuel, look at Running Out of Fuel . See Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System .

If you're not out of fuel, and your engine won't start, do this:

Turn your ignition key to RUN. IMMEDIATELY after the wait to start light goes off, turn the ignition key to START.

If the light doesn't go off, wait a few seconds, then try starting your engine again. And, see your dealer as soon as you can for a starting system check.

If the light comes on and then goes off and you know your batteries are charged, but your engine still won't start, your vehicle needs service.

If the light does not come on when the engine is cold, your vehicle needs service.

If your batteries don't have enough charge to start your engine, see "Battery" in the owner's manual Index.

Be sure you have the right oil for your engine, and that you've changed the oil at the proper times. If you use the wrong oil, your engine may be harder to start.

Be sure you are using the proper fuel for existing weather conditions. See Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System .

If the engine starts, runs a short time, then stops, your vehicle needs service.

Caution: Do not use gasoline or starting aids, such as ether, in the air intake. They could damage the engine. There could also be a fire, which could cause serious personal injury.

If your vehicle is equipped with the RPO LLY engine, it has a cold temperature high idle and exhaust restrictor feature which elevates the engines idle speed from 680 to 1200 rpms, and restricts the exhaust gas flow, when outside temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), and the engine coolant temperature is below 150°F (65°C.) This feature enhances heater performance by raising the engine coolant temperature faster.

This feature can be turned off and on using the DIC steering wheel control buttons. If your vehicle is not equipped with the DIC steering wheel control buttons, doing the following to turn on this feature:

1. Turn the ignition to the run position, with the vehicle off.
2. Press the accelerator pedal to the floor and hold while quickly pressing the brake pedal three times in less than eight seconds.
3. Release the accelerator pedal and start the engine.

When the engine is started, it will slowly ramp up to the high idle speed after a delay of a few seconds up to approximately two minutes. For this method to work properly there must be no throttle or brake pedal faults.

The engine idle speed with return to normal once the following conditions are met:

The high idle speed will be temporarily interrupted and the engine speed will return to normal if any of the following conditions occur:

Once these inputs are removed, the engine idle speed will slowly ramp back up to high idle after the normal delay, if the conditions for engine coolant temperature and air intake temperature are still met.