2008 DODGE RAM 3500 GAS warning

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!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and should be avoided when pos-
sible. Damage to the power steering pump may occur.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
(ABS/TCS/BAS/HSA/ERM/ESP/TSC) Ð IF
EQUIPPED
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist
System (BAS), HSA (Hill Start Assist), Electronic Roll
Mitigation (ERM), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and
Trailer Sway Control (TSC). All six systems work to-
gether to enhance vehicle stability and control in various
driving conditions, and are commonly referred to as ESP.
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ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
This ABS system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle
control under adverse braking conditions. The system
controls hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel
lockup and help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces
during braking. For more information about ABS, refer to
ªAnti-Lock Brake Systemº under ªBrake Systemº in
Section 5 of this manual.
NOTE:ABS improves steering control of the vehicle
during hard braking maneuvers.
WARNING!
²ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and
tires or the traction afforded.
²The 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.
²The 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.
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5

applies optimum pressure to the brakes in emergency
braking conditions. This can help reduce braking dis-
tances. The BAS complements the ABS. Applying the
brakes very quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To
receive the benefit of BAS, you must apply continuous
braking 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.WARNING!
²BAS 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.
²The 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.
²The 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.
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5

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 the amount of
throttle applied.
During operation, Hill Start Assist will activate the brake
control system and a clicking noise will occur. If your foot
is on the brake pedal during operation you may feel a
slight pedal movement. The clicking and pedal move-
ment is normal and both will stop when HSA becomes
inactive.WARNING!
If the clutch pedal (manual vehicles only) remains
depressed during the application of the throttle, the
HSA will disengage allowing the vehicle to roll
down the incline. This could cause a collision with
another vehicle or object. To avoid this, do not apply
throttle while depressing the clutch pedal until you
are ready to release the clutch. Always remember the
driver is responsible for braking the vehicle.
HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
²Vehicle must be stopped
²Vehicle must be on a 7% or greater incline
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²Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills (i.e., less than
7%), with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer
where the system will not activate and slight rolling
may occur, which could cause a collision with an-
other vehicle or object. Always remember the driver
is responsible for braking the vehicle.
The system will only work if the intended direction of the
vehicle and vehicle gear match. For example, if the
intended direction is forward up a hill and the vehicle is
in drive (automatic equipped vehicle), and the activation
criteria are met, HSA will activate.
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.
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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 shift lever, is selected.
When activated, the TOW/HAUL light will illuminate in
the instrument cluster. For more information on TOW/
HAUL mode, refer to ªWhen To USE TOW/HAUL and
O/D OFF Modesº under9Automatic Transmissionº in
Section 5. In order to accommodate the extra weight
entailed under towing and hauling conditions and to
increase driver comfort while launching on a hill, the
system recognizes when the TOW/HAUL button is acti-
vated and compensates by releasing brake pressure at a
slower rate while throttle is applied in order to prevent
the vehicle from rolling down the hill.
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 be-
hind you. In order to avoid rolling down the incline
while resuming acceleration, manually activate 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.
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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 park-
ing brake on manual transmission vehicle.2. Start the engine.
3. With the engine running, the brake applied, and the
clutch out, rotate the steering wheel 180É counterclock-
wise from center.
4. Press ESP button four times within twenty seconds.
The ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº should appear and dis-
appear four times.
5. Rotate the steering wheel 360É clockwise (180É clock-
wise from center).
6. Cycle ignition switch OFF then ON.
7. If the sequence was completed properly, the ªESP/
TCS Indicator Lightº 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.
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Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)
The ERM 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 vehicle 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 cannot
prevent wheel lift due to other factors such as road
conditions, leaving the roadway or striking objects or
other vehicles.WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road condi-
tions and driving conditions, influence the chance
that wheel lift or rollover may occur.
²ERM cannot prevent all wheel lift or rollovers,
especially those that involve leaving the roadway
or striking objects or other vehicles. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
²The capabilities of an ERM-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user's safety
or the safety of others.
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