Engine Starting
For cold-weather starting, refer to "Cold Weather Starting" later in this chapter.
This engine chapter is to serve as a guide for best practices only. Each make and model engine may have operating characteristics that are unique to that particular engine, and will be documented in the engine manufacturer's literature. Always refer to specific instructions and recommendations from the engine manufacturer.
Note: Before starting the engine, read General Information for detailed information on how to read the instruments and see Ignition Switch and Key for detailed information on how to operate the controls. Read the operating instructions in the manufacturer's engine operation manual before starting the engine.
Warning: Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the air inlet opening in the air intake in an attempt to start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing serious personal injury or property damage.
- Before engine start-up, complete the pretrip inspections and maintenance procedures in General information.
- Set the parking brake.
- For manual transmissions, place the transmission in neutral
and fully depress the clutch pedal. Do not depress the accelerator
pedal.
For automatic transmissions, put the transmission in neutral. Do depress the accelerator pedal.
- Turn the ignition switch to ON. See Fig.. The following
actions should occur:
-
electronic gauges complete a full sweep of their dials
-
warning and indicator lamps illuminate, then are extinguished
-
DEF level indicator illuminates all segments green, then turns them off one at a time before turning the leftmost segment amber and then red
-
During cold conditions, the WAIT TO START lamp may illuminate.
Fig. 1, Ignition Switch
-
- Once the gauge sweep has completed, turn the ignition key to the START position. Release the key the moment the engine starts.
- It is not necessary to idle the engine before engaging or starting the operation, but load should be applied gradually during the warm-up period until the oil temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
- Apply load gradually during the warm-up period.
- Check the oil pressure gauge for any drop in lubricating oil pressure or mechanical malfunction in the lubricating oil system. Minimum oil pressure at idle is 7 psi (50 kPa).
Note: Depending on local jurisdictional emissions regulations, vehicles and/or engines that are domiciled outside of the U.S. and Canada may not be equipped with the WAIT TO START or START BLOCKED lamp.
Note: The length of time the WAIT TO START lamp remains illuminated depends on the ambient temperature. The lower the ambient temperature, the longer the lamp will be illuminated.
Note: If the ignition switch is turned to START before the gauge sweep has completed or if the starter has overheated, the START BLOCKED lamp may illuminate. Turn the ignition switch back to ON, wait for the lamp to go out, then turn the ignition switch to START again.
Notice: Do not rev the engine if the oil pressure gauge indicates no oil pressure. Shut down the engine if oil pressure does not build within approximately ten seconds. Check to determine the cause of the problem. Operating the engine with no oil pressure will damage the engine.
Notice: If the oil pressure gauge indicates no oil pressure, shut down the engine within approximately ten seconds to avoid engine damage.