2007 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures – Gas Engines...........302
▫Manual Transmission..................302
▫Automatic Transmission................302
▫Normal Starting......................303
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................303
▫After Starting........................305

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped.........306

Automatic Transmission..................306
▫Automatic Transmission With Overdrive.....307
Manual Transmission....................312
▫Manual Transmission — 6 Speed (G56)......313
▫Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds........314
▫Manual Transmission — 6-Speed (G238).....314
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............315
▫Downshifting – All Manual Transmissions....315

Four-Wheel- Drive Operation — If Equipped . . . 316
▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................317
5

▫Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted Transfer
Case..............................319
▫Transfer Case Reminder Light............320
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions (5 Position Switch)—
If Equipped.........................321
▫Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case........................326
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions (4 Position Switch)—
If Equipped.........................329
▫Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case........................333

Limited-Slip Differential — If Equipped.......336

Driving On Slippery Surfaces..............337
Driving Off-Road.......................337

Parking Brake.........................338

Brake System..........................340
▫3500 Dual Rear Wheel Models Only........340
▫Brake Noise.........................340
▫Rear Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System —
RWAL .............................341
▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System —
If Equipped.........................341

Power Steering........................343

Electronic Brake Control System
(ABS/TCS/BAS/Hsa/ERM/ESP) –
If Equipped...........................344
▫ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............344
298 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫TCS (Traction Control System) –
If Equipped With ESP..................345
▫BAS (Brake Assist System)...............346
▫Hsa (Hill Start Assist)..................347
▫ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation)..........351
▫ESP (Electronic Stability Program).........352

Multi Displacement System (MDS) -
5.7L Engine Only.......................357

Tire Safety Information...................358
▫Tire Markings........................358
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........361
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........362

Tires — General Information...............366
▫Tire Pressure.........................366▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................367
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................369
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........370
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........371
▫Tire Spinning........................371
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................372
▫Life Of Tire.........................373
▫Replacement Tires.....................373
▫Alignment And Balance.................374

Supplemental Tire Pressure Information –
If Equipped...........................375

Tire Chains...........................375

Snow Tires...........................377
STARTING AND OPERATING 299
5

Tire Rotation Recommendations............377
▫Dual Rear Wheels.....................379

Fuel Requirements......................380
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................381
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............381
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................381
▫Materials Added To Fuel................382
▫Fuel System Cautions..................382
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............383

Adding Fuel..........................384
▫Adding Fuel (Gas Engines)..............384

Flexible Fuel— (Fleet Vehicles Only).........386
▫E-85 General Information................386▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................386
▫Fuel Requirements....................387
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......387
▫Starting............................388
▫Cruising Range.......................388
▫Replacement Parts.....................388
▫Maintenance.........................388

Vehicle Loading........................389
▫Certification Label.....................389

Trailer Towing.........................392
▫Common Towing Definitions.............392
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............396
300 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........397
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............397
▫Towing Requirements..................398
▫Towing Tips.........................402
▫Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped......404

Snowplow............................406
▫Dodge Ram 1500 Models................406
▫Before Plowing.......................407
▫Snowplow Model Prep Package Availability . . 407▫Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached...........................408
▫Methods For Removing Snow............409
▫Operating Tips.......................409
▫General Maintenance...................409

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 410
▫Recreational Towing – 2 Wheel Drive Models . 410
▫Recreational Towing – 4 Wheel Drive Models . 410

Equipment Identification Plate.............418
STARTING AND OPERATING 301
5

STARTING PROCEDURES – GAS ENGINES
The starter should not be operated for more than 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by inad-
vertently moving the gear selection lever or by
pressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause exces-
sive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in over-
heating and vehicle fire which may cause serious or
fatal injuries.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in NEUTRAL and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
before starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with
a clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start
unless the clutch is fully depressed.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
302 STARTING AND OPERATING

Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait 5
seconds, then repeat the starting procedure.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of Park (P).
Tip Start Feature — Automatic Transmission Only
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the ignition key briefly
to START position, and release it. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
when the engine is running.
If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
normal starting procedure, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.
Ignition Key Positions
STARTING AND OPERATING 303
5

CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.
304 STARTING AND OPERATING