2009 Ram 1500 light

ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESP/TCS Indicator
Light” begins 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.
WARNING!
•ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded by prevailing road conditions.
•ESP cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
slippery surfaces or hydroplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of an ESP-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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The ESP system has multiple operating modes depend-
ing on vehicle type: Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) or Four-
Wheel Drive (4WD). Four-wheel drive vehicles may be
equipped with either a four-mode position (2WD/4WD
LOCK/4WD LOW/NEUTRAL) or a five-mode position
(2WD/4WD AUTO/4WD LOCK/4WD LOW/
NEUTRAL) transfer case. If you have a four-wheel drive
vehicle, and want to determine which transfer case is on
your vehicle and how to operate it, refer to the “Four
Wheel Drive Operation” in this section.
All Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles and Four-Wheel
Drive Vehicles in 2WD, 4WD AUTO, or 4WD
LOCK Modes Can Choose the Following ESP
Operating Modes:
ESP On
This is the normal operating mode for ESP in 2WD/4WD
AUTO/4WD LOCK modes and in 2WD vehicles. When-
ever the vehicle is started or the transfer case (ifequipped) is shifted from 4WD LOW or Neutral, back to
4WD LOCK or 4WD AUTO, the ESP system will be in
this mode. This mode should be used for almost all
driving situations. ESP should only be turned to “Partial
Off” or “ESP Off” for specific reasons as noted below.
ESP Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the ESP
OFF switch. When in
Partial Offmode, the TCS portion
of ESP, except for the “limited slip” feature described in
the TCS section, has been disabled and the ESP/TCS
Indicator Light will be illuminated. All other stability
features of ESP function normally. This mode is intended
to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand, or gravel
conditions and more wheel spin than ESP would nor-
mally allow is required to gain traction. To turn ESP on
again, momentarily depress the ESP OFF switch. This
will restore the normal “ESP On” mode of operation.
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NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the ESP OFF switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the “Partial Off” mode is
overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily pressing the
ESP OFF switch. This may be done while the vehicle is in
motion.
WARNING!
In the “Partial Off” mode, the engine torque reduc-
tion and stability features are desensitized. There-
fore, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is
unavailable.
All Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles in 4WD AUTO and
4WD LOCK Modes Can Also Choose the
Following ESP Operating Mode. This is the Only
ESP Operating Mode in 4WD LOW:
Full Off
This mode is intended for off-road use when ESP stability
features could inhibit vehicle maneuverability due to trail
conditions. This mode is entered by pressing and holding
the ESP OFF switch for five seconds when the vehicle is
stopped and the engine is running. After five seconds, the
“ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will illuminate and the “ESP
Off” message will appear in the odometer. Press and
release the trip odometer button located on the instru-
ment cluster to clear this message.
NOTE: The “ESP OFF” message will display and the
audible chime will sound when the shift lever is placed
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into the PARK position from any other position and then
moved out of the PARK position. This will occur even if
the message was previously cleared.
In this mode, ESP and TCS except for the “limited slip”
feature described in the TCS section are turned off until
the vehicle reaches a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At
40 mph (64 km/h) the system returns to “Partial Off”
mode, described above. When the vehicle speed drops
below 35 mph (56 km/h) the ESP system shuts off. ESP is
off at low vehicle speeds so that it will not interfere with
off-road driving but ESP function returns to provide the
stability feature at speeds above 40 mph (64 km/h). The
“ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will always be illuminated
when ESP is off. To turn ESP on again, momentarily
depress the ESP OFF switch. This will restore the normal
“ESP On” mode of operation.
“ESP Off” is the only operating mode for ESP in 4WD
LOW. Whenever the vehicle is started in 4WD LOW orthe transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4WD LOCK
or NEUTRAL, to 4WD LOW, the ESP system will be in
this mode.
WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP is unavailable. In an emer-
gency evasive maneuver the ESP system will not
engage to assist in maintaining stability. “ESP Off”
mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use
only.
ESP/BAS Warning Light and ESP/TCS Indicator
Light
The malfunction indicator for the ESP is combined with
the BAS indicator. The “ESP/BAS Warning Light” and
the “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” in the instrument cluster
both come on when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position. They should both go out with the engine
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running. If the “ESP/BAS Warning Light” comes on
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction has
been detected in either the ESP or BAS system or both. If
this light remains on after several ignition cycles and the
vehicle has been driven several miles/kilometers at
speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem
diagnosed and corrected.
NOTE:
•The “ESP Indicator Light” and the “ESP/BAS Warning
Light” will come on momentarily each time the igni-
tion switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP will be
ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESP will make buzzing or clicking sounds when it
is active. This is normal. The sounds will stop when
ESP becomes inactive following the maneuver that
caused the ESP activation.
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
The TSC system uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize
an excessively swaying trailer and will take the appro-
priate actions to attempt to stop the sway. The system
may reduce engine power and apply the brake of the
appropriate wheel(s) to counteract the sway of the trailer.
TSC will become active automatically once an excessively
swaying trailer is recognized. No driver action is re-
quired. Note that TSC cannot stop all trailers from
swaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer and
follow the trailer tongue weight recommendations. Refer
to “Trailer Towing” in this section.. When TSC is func-
tioning, the “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will flash, the
engine power may be reduced and you may feel the
brakes being applied to individual wheels to attempt to
stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is disabled when the
ESP system is in the “Partial Off” or “Full Off” modes.
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NOTE:
•P (Passenger) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H.
•European-Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letterPis absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H.
•LT (Light Truck) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
•Temporary spare tires are high-pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter “T”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
•High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.5
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Tire Sizing Chart
EXAMPLE:
Size Designation:
P= Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards
\b....blank....\b = Passenger car tire based on European design standards
LT = Light truck tire based on U.S. design standards
T = Temporary spare tire
31 = Overall diameter in inches (in)
215 = Section width in millimeters (mm)
65 = Aspect ratio in percent (%)
— Ratio of section height to section width of tire
10.5 = Section width in inches (in)
R = Construction code
—R means radial construction
—D means diagonal or bias construction
15 = Rim diameter in inches (in)
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EXAMPLE:
Service Description: 95= Load Index
— A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry
H = Speed Symbol
— A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding
to its load index under certain operating conditions
— The maximum speed corresponding to the speed symbol should only be achieved under
specified operating conditions (i.e., tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions, and
posted speed limits)
Load Identification: \b....blank....\b = Absence of any text on the sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) tire
Extra Load (XL) = Extra load (or reinforced) tire
Light Load = Light load tire
C, D, E = Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure
Maximum Load — Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry
Maximum Pressure — Maximum pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for
this tire
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