
24. ESP/BAS Warning Lamp – If Equipped
The lamp indicates a problem with one or more
of the functions of ESP. The yellow “ESP/BAS
Warning Lamp” in the instrument cluster
comes on when the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON” position as a bulb check. It should go out with
the engine running. If the “ESP/BAS Warning Lamp”
comes on continuously with the engine running, a mal-
function has been detected in the ESP system. If this light
remains on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle
has been driven several miles at speeds greater than 30
mph (48 km/h), see your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. NOTE:•TheESP/BAS Warning Lampcome
on momentarily each time the ignition switch is turned
ON.•The ESP Control System will make buzzing or
clicking sounds when it is actively operating.25. Low Washer Fluid Light
This light comes on when the washer fluid level falls
below approximately 1/4 full. The light will remain on
until fluid is added and ignition switch is cycled.
26. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator Light
— If Equipped
This lamp indicates the ESP system is active
when it is flashing or that a part, or all, of the
features of the ESP system are not able to
function when it is on solid. The yellow “ESP
Indicator Light” located in the tachometer area. The
ESP/TCS Indicator Lightstarts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes active. The
ESP/TCS Indicator Lightalso flashes when TCS is
active. If theESP/TCS Indicator Lightbegins to flash
during acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply
as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed
and driving to the prevailing road conditions. The “ESP/
234 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 

TCS Indicator Light” becomes illuminated when the
ESP-Off button has been pressed or ESP is only partially
available.
27. Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Light
(Automatic Transmissions Only)
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g. snow plowing, off- road operation). If this
light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
28. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading when in trip mode.29. Fuel Gauge
Shows level of fuel in tank when ignition switch is in the
ON position.
30. Low Fuel Warning Light
When the fuel level drops to 1/16 tank, the fuel
symbol will light and a single chime will sound.
(See page 182 for more information.)
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with an overhead
console module (CMTC), it is possible for DTE to display
“LO FUEL” before the low fuel warning light turns on in
the instrument cluster. This could occur because the low
fuel warning is set to a specified fuel tank volume and
DTE is an estimated distance calculation based on vehicle
fuel economy and remaining fuel tank volume.
Ram fuel tank volumes are as follows:
•26 gallons - 1500 short box models
•34 gallons - 1500/2500/3500 short box models
•35 gallons - 1500/2500/3500 long box models
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 235
4 

WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive
The gear shift selector display, located in the instrument
panel cluster, indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The selector
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must depress the brake pedal, to pull the selector
lever out of park (P) position (Brake Interlock System). To
drive, move the selector lever from Park or Neutral to thedesired drive position. Pull the selector lever toward you
when shifting into Reverse, Second, First or Park, or
when shifting out of Park.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or
Neutral position into another gear range.
“P” Park
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use Park while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range. Always apply parking brake first, then place the
selector in Park position. On 4-wheel-drive vehicles be
sure that the transfer case is in a drive position!
STARTING AND OPERATING 307
5 

When To Use “TOW HAUL” and “O/D OFF”
Modes
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” button once to
select TOW HAUL. This will improve performance andreduce the potential for transmission overheating or
failure due to excessive shifting. When operating in
“TOW HAUL” mode, 5th gear (if equipped) is disabled
and 2-3 and 3-4 shift patterns are modified. Shifts into
Overdrive (4th gear) are allowed during steady cruise
(for improved fuel economy) and automatic closed-
throttle downshifts to 3rd gear are performed (for im-
proved braking) when driving conditions warrant. Press-
ing the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” button a second time to
select O/D OFF will disable 4th and 5th gear completely,
which should eliminate any excessive transmission shift-
ing.
The “TOW HAUL” or “O/D OFF” light will illuminate in
the instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has
been activated. Pressing the switch a third time restores
normal operation. If the “TOW HAUL” or “O/D OFF”
modes are desired, the button must be pressed each time
the engine is started.
Tow Haul O/D Off Switch
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5 

Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
The transfer case provides 4 mode positions-2(rear)-
wheel-drive high range, 4-wheel-drive high range, neu-
tral, and 4-wheel-drive low range.
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2-wheel-
drive position (2H) for normal street and highway con-
ditions such as dry hard surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required the transfer case 4H
and 4L positions can be used to lock the front and rear
driveshafts together and force the front and rear wheels
to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by
simply moving the shift lever to the desired positions.
The 4H and 4L positions are intended for loose, slippery
road surfaces only. Driving in the 4H and 4L positions on
dry hard surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear
and damage to the driveline components.The 4-wheel-drive light (4WD), located in the instrument
cluster, alerts the driver that the vehicle is in 4-wheel
drive and that the front and rear driveshafts are locked
together. This light illuminates when the transfer case is
shifted to either the 4H or 4L positions. There is no light
for the 2H or N (Neutral) positions.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed is
approximately three times that of the 2H or 4H positions
at a given road speed. Take care not to overspeed the
engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of 4-wheel-drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference will adversely affect shifting and can
cause damage to the transfer case.
STARTING AND OPERATING 317
5 

vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage / disen-
gage faster if you momentarily release the accelerator
pedal after completing the shift. Apply a constant force
when shifting the transfer case lever.
2H or 4H⇔4L
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift
an automatic transmission to N (Neutral) or depress the
clutch on a manual transmission. While the vehicle is
coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift the transfer
case lever firmly to the desired position. Do not pause in
transfer case N (Neutral).
NOTE:Pausing in transfer case N (Neutral) in vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission may require
shutting the engine OFF to avoid gear clash while
completing the shift. If difficulty occurs, shift automatic
transmission to N (Neutral), hold foot on brake, and turn
engine OFF. Make shift to the desired mode.NOTE:Shifting into or out of 4L is possible with the
vehicle completely stopped, however difficulty may oc-
cur due to the mating clutch teeth not being properly
aligned. Several attempts may be required for clutch
teeth alignment and shift completion to occur. The pre-
ferred method is with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h). Avoid attempting to engage or disengage 4L
with the vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5
km/h).
NOTE:Do not attempt to shift to or from 4L while the
transmission is in gear or clutch is engaged.
Transfer Case Reminder Light
The four-wheel-drive operating light (4WD), located in
the instrument cluster, is used to alert the driver that the
front axle is fully engaged and all four wheels are
driving.
320 STARTING AND OPERATING 

NOTE:The transfer case Neutral (N) position is selected
by depressing the recessed button located on the lower left
hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch. The transfer case
Neutral (N) position is to be used for recreational towing
only. See the Recreational Towing section for specific
procedures on shifting into and out of Neutral (N).
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights —
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Only
Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the
instrument cluster and indicate the current and desired
transfer case selection. When you select a different trans-
fer case position, the indicator lights will do the follow-
ing:
If All Shift Conditions are Met
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until the
transfer case completes the shift.3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the
selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
If One or More Shift Conditions are not Met
1. The indicator light for the current position will remain
ON.
2. The newly selected position indicator light will con-
tinue to flash.
3. The transfer casewill notshift.
NOTE:Before retrying a selection, make certain that all
the necessary requirements for selecting a new transfer
case position have been met. To retry the selection, turn
the control knob back to the current position, wait five (5)
seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require-
ments, refer to theShifting Procedurefor your transfer
case, located in this section of the owner’s manual.
STARTING AND OPERATING 323
5 

in the 4HI and 4LO positions on dry hard surfaced roads
may cause increased tire wear and damage to the drive-
line components.
NOTE:The transfer case Neutral (N) position is selected
by depressing the recessed button located on the lower
left hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch. The transfercase Neutral (N) position is to be used for recreational
towing only. See the Recreational Towing section for
specific procedures on shifting into and out of Neutral
(N).
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights —
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Only
Transfer case position indicator lights are located in the
instrument cluster and indicate the current and desired
transfer case selection. When you select a different trans-
fer case position, the indicator lights will do the follow-
ing:
If All Shift Conditions are Met
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until the
transfer case completes the shift.
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the
selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
Neutral Button
330 STARTING AND OPERATING