2009 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTSStarting Procedures .................... 252
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 252
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 252
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 252
▫ After Starting ....................... 254
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 254
 Automatic Transmission ................. 254
▫ Automatic Transmission With Overdrive .... 255
Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped
... 260
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions ............... 260
▫ Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... 263
▫ Transfer Case Position Indicator Light ...... 264
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
Operating Information/Precautions (Five
Position Switch) — If Equipped .......... 264
▫ Shifting Procedure — Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... 269
5

▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
Operating Information/Precautions (Four
Position Switch) — If Equipped .......... 272
▫ Shifting Procedure — Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... 276
 Axle Locker System — Power Wagon Only . . 279
 Stabilizer/Sway Bar System — Power Wagon
Only ............................... 282
 Safe Off-Road Driving — Power Wagon
Only ............................... 284
▫ Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics ...................... 284
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ........ 289
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) ............................ 290
▫ Hill Climbing ...................... 293 ▫
Driving Through Water ............... 295
▫ Airing Down For Off-Road Driving ...... 298
▫ Vehicle Recovery ................... 299
▫ After Driving Off-Road ............... 302
 Limited-Slip Differential – If Equipped ..... 304
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............ 304
 Driving Through Water ................ 305
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................ 305
▫ Shallow Standing Water .............. 305
 Driving Off-Road — Ram Truck Only ...... 307
 Winch Usage – If Equipped (Power Wagon
Only) ............................... 308
▫ Things To Know Before Using Your
Winch ............................ 308
248 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Understanding The Features Of Your
Winch ............................ 310
▫ Winch Accessories .................. 312
▫ Operating Your Winch ............... 313
▫ Rigging Techniques .................. 325
 Power Steering ...................... 327
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ........... 328
 Parking Brake ....................... 329
 Brake System ....................... 330
▫ 3500 Dual Rear Wheel Models Only ...... 331
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System ..... 331
 Electronic Brake Control System —
If Equipped .......................... 333
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .......... 333▫
Traction Control System (TCS) .......... 334
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ............. 335
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ............... 336
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ........ 339
▫ Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ....... 340
▫ TSC (Trailer Sway Control) ............ 345
 Tire Safety Information ................ 346
▫ Tire Markings ..................... 346
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ........ 349
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ......... 350
 Tires — General Information ............ 354
▫ Tire Pressure ...................... 354
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ............... 355
STARTING AND OPERATING 249
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▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 356
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 357
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 357
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 358
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 359
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 359
 Supplemental Tire Pressure Information —
If Equipped .......................... 360
 Tire Chains .......................... 361
 Snow Tires .......................... 363
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 363
▫ Dual Rear Wheels .................... 365
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) —
If Equipped .......................... 366 ▫
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Tire
Light Load Inflation Switch Description –
If Equipped ........................ 369
▫
Tire Pressure Monitor System Components
. . 372
▫ General Information .................. 374
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 375
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 375
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 376
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 376
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 377
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 377
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 378
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 379
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

Adding Fuel ........................ 379
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) Message . . 381
 Vehicle Loading ..................... 381
▫ Certification Label .................. 381
 Trailer Towing ....................... 383
▫ Common Towing Definitions ........... 384
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ............ 388
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... 389
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............ 389▫
Towing Requirements ................ 390
▫ Towing Tips ....................... 395
 Snowplow ......................... 396
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 397
▫ Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 397
▫ Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 397
 Equipment Identification Plate ........... 403
STARTING AND OPERATING 251
5

STARTING PROCEDURESBefore starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
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!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat buildup may
cause serious injury or death.Normal StartingNormal 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 five
seconds, then repeat the starting procedure.
Automatic TransmissionStart the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of PARK.Tip Start FeatureDo 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 when
the engine is running.If Engine Fails To StartIf 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.
252 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
•
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission 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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•
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. Refer
to “Jump Starting” in Section 6.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should
be repeated.
STARTING AND OPERATING 253
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After StartingThe idle speed is automatically controlled and will de-
crease as the engine warms up.ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPEDThe engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that
is located on the driver’s side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:•
Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•
Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•
Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•
Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
254 STARTING AND OPERATING