Snow Plow Mode

[HBarlow]

Cut and paste from Cummins newsletter.

"Plow Snow Confidently With Your Ram HD.

[FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]#ad
As the weather begins to change, many Ram owners will start pulling out their snow plows. But your Ram may already come with built-in snow plow mode, a feature that will ensure maximum engine operation while operating in winter conditions. Snow plow mode allows the cooling system and fan to perform to their optimum capability when using a plow blade, which greatly affects the airflow around the front of the truck, ensuring that your engine temperature remains normal. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]All Cummins-powered Ram Heavy Duty pickups and chassis cabs from model years 2008 and beyond are equipped with snow plow mode capability. Owners of 6. 7L Turbo Diesel engines built prior to model year 2008 can receive the snow plow mode capability by requesting the J35 software flash update at your local dealership, if you haven't received this software update on your truck already. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you have snow plow mode capability, here’s how to activate it: [/FONT]

1. [FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Key on your truck without starting it. [/FONT]
2. [FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Pull in the cruise control cancel switch and hold. While holding the cruise control cancel switch, push the exhaust brake switch twice. Then release the cruise control cancel switch. [/FONT]
3. [FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Repeat Step 2 three more times for a total of four complete times to activate snow plow mode. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]You will then hear two chimes, which confirm that snow plow mode has been activated. Your truck will remain in snow plow mode until you deactivate it. To deactivate it, follow the same series of steps above. You will then hear four chimes, which confirm that snow plow mode has been deactivated. To avoid any risk of overheating, always be sure to activate snow plow mode on your truck while using your plow. Be sure to remember to deactivate snow plow mode once you have finished plowing so that you can maintain fuel economy during normal driving. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]The Cummins 6. 7L Turbo Diesel is built to take on heavy snow, and is always ready to work when you need it. By activating snow plow mode, you can be confident that your Cummins 6. 7L Turbo Diesel will deliver the best performance and reliability no matter the weather. "[/FONT]

 

[AHarris]

Thanks!

These are the kind of posts that make me glad I am a TDR member! I can't wait to try this next time we get hit with a big snow and I need to put the plow on the truck. I've noticed the truck running a little warmer than usual with the plow hanging on the front. Not to mention the fact that the outdoor air temp sensor shows about 40 degrees above actual temp outside when cruising down the hwy with the plow mounted.

I'll give this a try and post my observations.

Thanks HB!

 

[SRay]

Harvey: hmmm... . I've never heard of this feature before. I'm impressed. I'll have to let my buddies know.



Shawn

 

[HBarlow]

I don't plow much snow down here on the Texas south plains but know that some of you do.

Everyone should sign up to receive the free internet Cummins newsletter.

 

[Bob4x4]

Nice Info Harvey,I did a quick search on dealer connect and could not find anything on snowplow mode. I'll have to look some more to see if Dodge is with holding this info or just not telling. Our truck fleet guy was all excited when they made all the new trucks able to handle a plow(better front end specs) and the cold weather pkg that included a cold weather front

 

[mwilson]

Thanks, Harvey.



I just signed up, didn't realize that it even existed.



TO SIGN UP----USE THIS LINK

Cummins Engines - Newsletters - Turbo Diesel



Mike.

 

[mwilson]

Could Robin place this link on the TDR home page??? A lot of folks will miss this after a week goes by.



Mike.

 

[SPucillo]

So what does this do? Run the fan more?



Might be good for slow towing in the desert too!

 

[HBarlow]

I think so. It would probably be beneficial with any high temperature, slow speed, heavy load operation.

 

[AHarris]

I've used this mode a couple times now with all the lake effect snow we get up here. Got a over a foot on New Years Day.



I don't notice any difference but I do it anyway because it's better for the engine and transmission. I just wish the outside temp sensor was smarter. When I'm driving around with the plow attached, the outside temp sensor will say 85 degrees when the outside temp is actually 20. I think it has something to do with the plow blocking the airflow to the sensor when the truck's going down the highway.



Very easy to do and it chimes exactly as described.

 

[SPucillo]

I have been running around San Diego with it enabled and can't tell anything is different. The temp here has been 32 in the morning to 80 in the afternoon. Maybe if I towed something heavy it would activate the fan sooner??

 

[HBarlow]

I've used this mode a couple times now with all the lake effect snow we get up here. Got a over a foot on New Years Day.

I don't notice any difference but I do it anyway because it's better for the engine and transmission. I just wish the outside temp sensor was smarter. When I'm driving around with the plow attached, the outside temp sensor will say 85 degrees when the outside temp is actually 20. I think it has something to do with the plow blocking the airflow to the sensor when the truck's going down the highway.

Very easy to do and it chimes exactly as described.

I wonder where the sensor is actually located and how it is attached and connected into the system? Perhaps it could be relocated so it would be able pick up actual ambient air temp away from engine heat.

 

[RobertHiltz]

I think the snow plow mode changes more than just fan operation. The ECM programming controls most if not all engine operation. The ambient temp sensor is one of many inputs the computer uses to make its decisions. With a snow plow attached the temp sensor is providing false readings. I think the plow mode compensates for that false input. To activate the plow mode for other types of operation may not be a good idea.

 

[jhenderson]

The temp sensor for the over head console has NO EFFECT on engine. It is only for informational purposes. The disturbed airflow behind the plow causes false readings. Angle the plow side to side, or up and down and you change the reading. Let's face it. If it's snowing, you know it's cold.

 

[KLauber]

As Spock would say... "Fascinating"! Signed up for the newsletter too! Harvey. . Thanks!

 

[SPucillo]

Well I have been spending some time with the Snow Plow mode on and it does drop the transmission temp and the truck does seem to have more fan noise than before.
On the freeway my trans was 120 after 23 miles. I pulled over and turned the S. P. mode off and trans temp went up to 145 in about 5 miles which is normal for my truck when not towing.
I guess the Snow Plow mode it works the fan just a little more. Should work great for towing a slow speeds, 1st and 2nd gear.

 

[DAWG-1]

Thanks, Harvey.



I just signed up, didn't realize that it even existed.



TO SIGN UP----USE THIS LINK

Cummins Engines - Newsletters - Turbo Diesel



Mike.

Thanks for the link. It made it quick and easy. Sam

 

[BruteForce]

This mode does not work on my 2009. Is this limited to 2010+ models?

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

This mode does not work on my 2009. Is this limited to 2010+ models?

I couldn't get it to work on my '09 either with my "official" J-35 flash that just happened to arrive at my doorstep via UPS (23ME) sometime around April of 2010! :-laf BTW... Thanks Bob and Marco!!!



I'd like to have this particular option available when I'm just putting along in 1st on a trail that the mirrors have a hard time with clearance even after I (or a tree) will eventually fold them in



Or when backing a heavy trailer up a hill into a spot that it's not designed to fit into in the first place :-laf



I see many benefits to having the fan fully engaged (or engaging sooner than it would normally) under these circumstances... For instance: A/C runs colder even if temp has nothing to do with keeping the sweat off your brow when some situations arise! :-laf:-laf

 

[BruteForce]

@Mikey-KE7LBB: The reasons you mentioned are the same as mine. I tow heavy and find myself in 1st gear climbing in/around dirt trails that are far too narrow for my rig + TH and this option would help keep temps down.