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Mark Your Calendar: Ask the Engineer LIVE – December 8, 2009

What makes the legendary Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel such a successful part of Ram Heavy Duty engineering and history? Why is this particular engine and truck combination honored as the benchmark for heavy-duty performance?

Here’s your chance to find out. Online, in real time. And with the people who know.

Join us for the Ask the Engineer LIVE on Tuesday, December 8th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST at turbodieselregister.com for a 1.5 hour open Q&A session with 2010 Ram Heavy Duty and Cummins engineers. It’s where you can play an active part in today’s engineering — and tomorrow’s developments. Because this open Q&A session with the engineers of the Cummins Turbo Diesel and the all-new 2010 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty is designed to bring out the best in information and technical development.

This LIVE Q&A session is all about details. We’ll bring the key Cummins and Ram engineers to field incisive and focused questions. Ever wonder why all-new Ram Heavy Duty and the proven Cummins work so well together? Curious about innovations like the standard exhaust brake, or common-rail technology? Need a specification about the completely redesigned 2010 Ram Heavy Duty Pickup?

All this and more will be discussed in Ask the Engineer LIVE. And with powerful diesel capability, there’s little wonder why Ram offers the formidable 6.7-liter Cummins as standard equipment on 3500 models, and make it your choice on 2500 models.

Start thinking about questions now, and be prepared to take an active role. If you cannot join us live on December 8th, we’ve set up a forum for you to pre-submit your questions. You can begin posting the questions you would like addressed by a Ram Heavy Duty or Cummins engineer here.

We look forward to your participation — and be sure to spread the word about this exciting event to friends. Remember, the Ram HD and Cummins Q&A is a LIVE event — and it all happens Tuesday, December 8th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST at turbodieselregister.com!

Ram HD and Cummins LIVE Forum Guidelines:
• Direct your questions to the Ram and/or Cummins Engineer team
• Limit each post to 1 or 2 questions; clarity and brevity will work best.
• Review existing posts to avoid repeat questions
• Keep all questions on topic and related to the 2010 Dodge Ram HD powered by the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel.
• Off-topic posts run the risk of being removed by forum moderators
• Allow the Ram/Cummins Engineer team to supply the answers; remember, it’s not about member discussions
• Sorry, but no chit-chat. If you have something to say to another member, please communicate via IM, or within another thread discussion.
• Questions are not answered in order of post; so allow time for a response
• We can’t answer questions regarding specific dealer concerns or future products
• We’ll do our best, but we are not always able to diagnose specific vehicle issues over the Internet
• We cannot answer overall business questions about Cummins or Chrysler Group LLC.

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Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel Wins 2008 Automotive News PACE Award (.pdf document, opens in new window)

The Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup with the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine offers outstanding horsepower, and torque, while enabling 2010 emissions compliance in 2007, a full three years ahead of the requirements.  This has allowed its already proven combination of advanced technologies to have been tested and now enhanced for 2010. The 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine replaced its 5.9L predecessor and provides superior trailer towing, acceleration, throttle response and driveability. It builds on the long tradition of durability of the Cummins Turbo Diesel.

Other feature enhancements are improved combustion, integrated braking, and improved integration of engine and vehicle systems for optimal fuel economy.

Strongest.

Now in a Dodge Ram Heavy Duty truck, an integrated exhaust brake is available direct from the factory. Utilizing the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine's turbocharger, the exhaust brake significantly improves control when towing heavy applications, such as pulling RV fifth wheels and horse trailers, providing added vehicle control and vehicle brake savings by transforming horsepower into braking power. This extends the vehicle brake life, resulting in reduced total cost of ownership. Testing has also shown more than a 30 percent improvement in engine retarding torque at 2000 rpm compared with aftermarket exhaust brakes. In addition, the vehicle features "Smart" tow/haul controls that provide customers with flexibility and increased safety when towing heavy loads.

This engine is rated with 350 horsepower at just 3013 rpm. The 6.7L Turbo Diesel achieves a peak torque of 650 lb-ft at 1500 rpm for the automatic transmission configuration and maintains that peak torque all the way to 2800 rpm (a "best in class" capability for a heavy-duty diesel pickup) and a full 610 lb-ft peak torque for the manual transmission.

Nearly 40 percent of the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine parts are carryover from the 5.9L, with modifications geared to surpass emissions standards and increase horsepower and torque, while maintaining the durability associated with Dodge and Cummins. The in-line six-cylinder product has fewer components than V8 engines. Fewer parts translates into fewer opportunities for things to go wrong. And it's been thoroughly tested through every stage of development for over eight million customer equivalent miles to ensure dependability and durability in every kind of work environment.

Cleanest.

This engine utilizes a third-generation High Pressure Common Rail (HPCR) fuel system and has pressure capability of up to 1800 bar (26,000 psi). It is a highly flexible system that achieves a total package of lower Noise, Vibration, Harshness (NVH), reduced emissions and improved fuel economy. This engine uses cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and other air-handling concepts, including Cummins own proprietary sliding-nozzle Variable Geometry Turbocharger to give optimum boost level as a function of engine rpm and load. The multi-injection-capable fuel system is then used to manage in-cylinder conditions to limit emissions. The product also has a particulate filter that reduces particulate matter (PM) level by 90 percent of pre-2007 levels.

Leapfrogging the competition, the 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine met the more stringent 2010 EPA NOx standard a full three years ahead of the requirements. Cummins is the first diesel engine manufacturer to have a product certified to the 2010 EPA heavy-duty engine standards for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions, making it the cleanest heavy-duty diesel engine available in North America.

Cummins fully supports the development of renewable energy sources. This engine's fuel system has the ability to run with B5 Biodiesel as standard. The engine has also been designed to operate on Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel (15-ppm sulfur).

Quietest.

As an added bonus, this engine is 3dBa quieter (~1/2 the engine noise than the 5.9L Turbo Diesel at all points on the engine speed operating range). The 6.7L engine incorporates several features that contribute to a 50 percent quieter engine and significant reduction in cabin sound levels, increasing the vehicle's overall refinement. This provides owners with the quietest engine in the heavy-duty diesel pickup truck market.

Maintenance is kept to an absolute minimum, with easy access to all service points.

Of course, both the Dodge Ram truck and Cummins engine are fully covered under a comprehensive warranty that shows how much confidence we have in its reliability and durability.

 

Engine ModelAdvertised hp @ rpmPeak Torquelb-ft @ rpmGoverned Speed
Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel350 @ 3013650 @ 15003013

Torque Curve.

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The maintenance interval has changed over the years on several items, however, the valve lash adjustment remains the same at 150,000 miles (240,000 km) and the fuel filter replacement remains at 15,000 miles (24,000 km). The oil change interval is 7,500 miles (12,000 km) and is duty cycle based. This interval will vary because the mileage will fluctuate based upon how the driver utilizes the vehicle. This engine uses an oil change monitoring system which will display a message on the vehicle information center that alerts the driver to change the oil.

Don't forget that your new Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine requires low-ash engine oil; failure to use this type of oil can result in serious damage to the exhaust aftertreatment system in your vehicle. Be sure to purchase engine oil that meets CES 20081 standards and has a maximum 1.00 mass % content of sulfated ash.

Due to the new EPA regulations, owners of MY07 and later Cummins 6.7L turbo diesel-powered highway vehicles must refuel only with Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel meeting a 15-ppm on-highway requirement. Use of all other fuels is prohibited and may result in damage to the engine and/or the aftertreatment system. Be sure to purchase your diesel fuel from a reputable fuel station. For most year-round service, a high-quality No. 2 diesel fuel that meets ASTM specification D-975 (0.0015% sulfur level) will maintain good performance. EPA requires retail fuel stations that carry and dispense LSD and ULSD to label the pumps with a Low-Sulfur Highway Diesel Fuel and an Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel label.

In addition, diesel fuel sold for off-highway use should not be used in any Cummins turbo diesel engine. This is due to off-highway fuels not necessarily meeting the fuel cleanliness or lubricity requirements for on-highway fuel specifications. Use of such off-highway fuels can result in accelerated wear to fuel system components.

Keep in mind that your 6.7 liter engine is a sophisticated, fully integrated system. Some aftermarket products can jeopardize this system and cause severe power system, exhaust system and engine damage. For instance, there are a number of products that claim to enhance engine performance. These so-called aftermarket, "performance chips" may carry claims to increase horsepower, torque output, and/or fuel economy. These non-original chips can alter how the engine operates and their claims are neither authorized nor recommended by Dodge or Cummins. Keep in mind that your truck’s electronic control system can detect and store information about any modifications that increase horsepower, torque, and/or fuel economy. This information is stored in the system’s memory and cannot be erased – even if the modification is removed. Use of these unauthorized products can affect your warranty coverage.

 

For complete maintenance information, please consult your Owner's Manual or Operations and Maintenance Manual.

See your Dodge dealer for complete warranty details.

 

The new Dodge Ram pickup, equipped with the Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine, has been extensively validated through the development process. Up front, there has been a significant amount of modeling and simulation to ensure design robustness. Analysis-led design is a standard practice within Cummins. It allows us to consider a wider range of design options up front, and it results in fewer design iterations, less time between iterations (if required), and means higher test experience on production intent hardware.

We tested the base engine for over eight million customer equivalent miles. In addition to the traditional test processes, this product was tested throughout its development under special conditions to exercise the vehicle through a broad range of speeds, loads, temperatures, altitudes, and drive cycles. This approach to our testing allowed us to capture the entire operating range, not just points at extreme conditions.