2007 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS brake

WARNING!
•Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason, the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and does not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a short period of time. This is
due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This
noise should be considered normal, and does not in any
way damage the steering system.
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WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolong operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
(ABS/TCS/BAS/HSA/ERM/ESP) – IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional ad-
vanced electronic brake control system that includes ABS
(Anti-Lock Brake System), TCS (Traction Control Sys-
tem), BAS (Brake Assist System), Hill Start Assist (HSA),
ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation) and ESP (Electronic
Stability Program). All systems work together to enhance
vehicle stability and control in various driving conditions
and are commonly referred to as ESP.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lock-up and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in Section 5 of this
manual for more information about ABS.
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WARNING!
•Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
TCS (Traction Control System) – if equipped with
ESP
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if TCS and ESP are in
either the “Partial Off” or “ESP Off” modes. Refer to “ESP
(Electronic Stability Program)” in this Section of this
manual.
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BAS (Brake Assist System)The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
antilock brake system (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must apply continuous brak-
ing pressure during the stopping sequence. Do not
reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking is no longer
desired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is
deactivated.
ESP Off Button Location
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WARNING!
•BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking efficiency beyond that afforded by the
condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the
traction afforded.
•The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user ’s safety
or the safety of others.
HSA (Hill Start Assist)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver in
launching a vehicle on an incline. HSA will maintain the
level of brake pressure the driver inputs for a short
duration once the driver takes his foot off of the brake
pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle during this
short duration, the system will release brake pressure
and the vehicle will roll down the incline. The system will
release brake pressure in proportion to amount of throttle
applied.
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HSA on Automatic Vehicles
The system will work in reverse and all forward gears on
vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. The
system will not activate if the vehicle is placed in neutral.
HSA on Manual Vehicles
The system will work in reverse, forward gears, and
neutral on manual transmission equipped vehicles. The
system does not recognize neutral on manual vehicles,
thus it will hold the vehicle on an incline for a short
period while in neutral, regardless of clutch position. To
prevent this, do not attempt to roll down a hill simply by
putting the transmission in neutral and letting gravity act
on the vehicle, as the HSA will prevent the vehicle from
rolling. Instead, use the appropriate gear for moving in
the desired direction.
Towing and Hauling with HSA (Vehicles Equipped
with Automatic Transmissions Only)
The HSA system does not know if your vehicle is loaded
or towing a trailer, unless the “TOW/HAUL” button,
located on the transmission gear selector lever, is se-
lected. When activated, the “TOW/HAUL” light will
illuminate in the instrument cluster. Refer to the “Starting
and Operating” Section of this manual for more informa-
tion on the “TOW/HAUL” mode. In order to accommo-
date the extra weight entailed under towing and hauling
conditions and to increase driver comfort while launch-
ing on a hill, the system recognizes when the Tow/Haul
button is activated and compensates by releasing brake
pressure at a slower rate while throttle is applied to in
order to prevent the vehicle from rolling down the hill.
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WARNING!
If you use a trailer brake controller with your trailer,
your trailer brakes may be activated and deactivated
with the brake switch. If so, when the brake pedal is
released there may not be enough brake pressure to
hold the vehicle and trailer on a hill and this could
cause a collision with another vehicle or object
behind you. In order to avoid rolling down the
incline while resuming acceleration, manually acti-
vate the trailer brake or apply more vehicle brake
pressure prior to releasing the brake pedal. Always
remember the driver is responsible for braking the
vehicle.
WARNING!
HSA is not a parking brake. If you stop the vehicle
on a hill without putting the transmission in park or
using the parking brake, it will roll down the incline
and could cause a collision with another vehicle or
object. Always remember to use the parking brake
while parking on a hill, and that the driver is
responsible for braking the vehicle.
HSA Off
If you wish to turn off the HSA system, follow this
procedure:
1. Start with the engine off and vehicle in Park (auto-
matic transmission) or Neutral with clutch out (manual
transmission) with wheels straight. Apply parking brake
on manual transmission vehicle.
2. Start the engine.
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3. With the engine running, the brake applied, and the
clutch out, rotate the steering wheel 180° counter-
clockwise from center.
4. Press ESP button four times within twenty seconds.
The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” should appear and dis-
appear four times.
5. Rotate the steering wheel 360° clockwise (180° clock-
wise from center).
6. Cycle ignition switch OFF then ON.
7. If the sequence was completed properly, the “ESP/
TCS Indicator Light” will blink several times to confirm
HSA is off.
Steps 1-7 must be completed within 90 seconds to turn off
HSA. Repeat steps 1-7 to re-enable HSA functionality.ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation)
This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by
monitoring the driver ’s steering wheel input and the
speed of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the rate
of change of the steering wheel angle and vehicles speed
are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it applies the
appropriate brake and may reduce engine power to
lessen the chance that wheel lift will occur. ERM will only
intervene during very severe or evasive driving maneu-
vers.
ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift occurring
during severe or evasive driving maneuvers. It can not
prevent wheel lift due to other factors such as road
conditions, leaving the roadway or striking objects or
other vehicles.
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