New Guy; Quick Question regarding Temps

[aginhouse]

Hi guys, new to the forum. I have been reading up for a while but this is my first post.

The forum's will not allow me to access my profile yet for some reason, so for background; I bought a used 12' 2500 short bed, crew cab with 18k miles(looks brand spankin new).

My question: I have been reading about how important it is to observe the temps in these engines. Is there a certain temp you guys like to reach each morning before driving? In other words, would it be ideal for me to allow the oil to get to 100deg before putting her in gear? Also, any of you guys down south tell me what I expect to see temperature wise if Im pulling a trailer in the middle of a Texas Summer day? What's normal and what should ring an alarm??

I don't have any aftermarket gauges yet so all I can rely on is the factory oil temp gauges in the EVIC.


Thanks in advance for your help. Lots of sharp guys in here and I appreciate the ability to tap into all this info.



AG

 

[DonFitzwater]

No reason for warm up. Drive it as soon as the engine builds oil pressure. Idling promotes dpf plugging.

Not sure what kind of temps you'll see towing down there but hauling heavy in 80 degree weather I see trans temps in the 150-160's. Engine temp usually runs 195-210.

 

[Powder Extreme]

If it's really cold (40 or colder) let it run on fast idle for a few minutes after you start it up. (Turn on cruise and press set). Turn on the exhaust brake also, this will warm it up faster. Otherwise just put her in gear and go. Just ease into it and keep the RPM's down for a little bit till it warms up. Letting it idle to warm up is actually harder on the motor than driving it to warm up is. Always kick it up to fast idle if you are going to idle it for any length of time.

Grossing 33k in Las Vegas 110+ heat I never had a problem with overheating. The motor might get up to 225 depending on what stage the fan is in, never saw it go higher. Honestly, you really don't have to worry about overheating, the motor will protect itself and reduce power long before it gets hot enough to hurt anything. But to answer your question, you really don't want to let it get over 230 degrees. By 240 something is wrong and you'd better be pulling over, shutting off the A/C and letting it idle for a few minutes.

Enjoy the new truck!

 

[aginhouse]

Gents, thanks for the quick replies. I guess I was making an assumption on letting her warm up. I'll discontinue that and save the idling for only cool down(if necessary).


One more quick question. I know with my old jeep there was a website that Chrysler provided where I could go enter a VIN and it would allow me to see the options my vehicle left the factory with, such as rear end ratio, paint codes, factory options, ect. My truck didn't come with a sticker so i would be interested in getting more info. Is anyone aware of a site like this for the Ram trucks?

 

[Bill Stockard]

One more quick question. I know with my old jeep there was a website that Chrysler provided where I could go enter a VIN and it would allow me to see the options my vehicle left the factory with, such as rear end ratio, paint codes, factory options, ect. My truck didn't come with a sticker so i would be interested in getting more info. Is anyone aware of a site like this for the Ram trucks?

http://www.ramtrucks.com/webselfservice/ram/index.html

Click on "Equipment Listing" in the left column and enter your full Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) You should find the information there.

Bill

 

[aginhouse]

http://www.ramtrucks.com/webselfservice/ram/index.html

Click on "Equipment Listing" in the left column and enter your full Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) You should find the information there.

Bill

This is exactly what I needed Bill. Truck is badged as an HO but I didn't know what my axle ratio was......according to this I have 3.73! Thanks again

 

[Cummings]

I also have a '12, but a 3500, towing 17,000, and in the summer heat of Arizona the max coolant temp I've seen, once was 230 in the mountains. The highest trans temp has been about 230 also, again in the mountains following a wide load up a long mountain grade (6%) for several miles in 3rd gear. Trans is usually not over 195 towing in summer heat. I have the dual trans coolers, but not the max tow.