2009 Ram 1500 four wheel drive

For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the information below:
2WD
Rear-Wheel Drive High Range - This range is for normal
street and highway driving on dry hard surfaced roads.
4WD AUTO
Four-Wheel Drive Auto Range - This range sends power
to the rear wheels. The four–wheel drive system will be
automatically engaged when the vehicle senses a loss of
traction. Additional traction for varying road conditions.
4WD LOCK
Four-Wheel Drive Lock Range - This range locks the front
and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction
for loose, slippery road surfaces only.4WD LOW
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range - This range provides low
speed four-wheel drive. Locks the front and rear drive-
shafts together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate
at the same speed. Additional traction and maximum
pulling power for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do
not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
N
Neutral - This range disengages both the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat
towing behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in this section.
Shifting Procedure
NOTE:
•If any of the requirements to select a new transfer case
position have not been met, the transfer case will not
shift. The position indicator light for the previous
position will remain ON, and the newly selected
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Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System
WARNING!
The Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System contains
sophisticated electronic equipment. It may be sus-
ceptible to interference caused by improperly in-
stalled or high output radio transmitting equipment.
This interference can cause possible loss of anti-lock
braking capability. Installation of such equipment
should be performed by qualified professionals.
The Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is de-
signed to aid the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system operates
with a separate computer to modulate hydraulic pressure
to prevent wheel lockup and help avoid skidding on
slippery surfaces. The system’s pump motor runs during an ABS stop to
provide regulated hydraulic pressure. The pump motor
makes a low humming noise during operation. This is
normal.
The ABS conducts a low-speed selftest at about 10 mph
(16 km/h). If you have your foot lightly on the brake
while this test is occurring, you may feel slight pedal
movement. The movement can be more apparent on ice
and snow. This is normal.
When you are in a severe braking condition involving
use of the ABS, you will experience some pedal drop as
the vehicle comes to a complete stop. This is the result of
the system reverting to the base brake system and is
normal.
Engagement of the ABS may be accompanied by a
pulsing sensation. You may also hear a clicking noise.
These occurrences are normal, and indicate that the
system is functioning.
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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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STARTING AND OPERATING 359

Tire Pressures for High Speed Operation
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is very
important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle
loading may be required for high-speed vehicle opera-
tion. Refer to original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer for recommended safe operating speeds, loading
and cold tire inflation pressures.
WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle under maxi-
mum load is dangerous. The added strain on your
tires could cause them to fail. You could have a
serious accident. Do not drive a vehicle loaded to the
maximum capacity at continuous speeds above
75 mph (120 km/h).
Radial Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al-
ways use radial ply tires in sets of four (or six, in the
case of trucks with dual rear wheels). Never combine
them with other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h)
or for longer than 30 seconds continuously without
stopping when you are stuck.
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NOTE:
•The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care
and maintenance, nor to provide warning of a tire
failure or condition.
•The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge
while adjusting your tire pressure.
•Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underin-
flation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability.
•The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the “Tire
Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light.”
•Seasonal temperature changes will affect tire pressure,
and the TPMS will monitor the actual tire pressure in
the tire.
Tire Pressure Monitor System Components
The TPMS uses wireless technology with wheel rim
mounted electronic sensors to monitor tire pressure lev-
els. Sensors, mounted to each wheel as part of the valve
stem transmit tire pressure readings to the Receiver
Module.
NOTE:It is particularly important for you to check the
tire pressure in all of your tires regularly and to maintain
the proper pressure.
The TPMS consists of the following components:
•Receiver Module
•Four Wheel Sensors
•Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp
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Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp will
illuminate in the instrument cluster, and an au-
dible chime will be activated when one or more of
the four active road tire pressures are low. Should this
occur, you should stop as soon as possible, check the
inflation pressure of each tire on your vehicle and inflate
each tire to the vehicle’s recommended cold placard
pressure value. The system will automatically update
and the Tire Pressure Monitoring Lamp will extinguish
once the updated tire pressures have been received. The
vehicle may need to be driven for up to 20 minutes above
15 mph (25 km/h) to receive this information.
Check TPMS Warnings
The “Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light” located in
the instrument cluster will flash on and off for 75 seconds
and will remain on solid when a system fault is detected.
The system fault will also sound a chime. If the ignition key is cycled, this sequence will repeat, providing the
system fault still exists. A system fault can occur by any
of the following scenarios:
1. Signal interference due to electronic devices or driving
next to facilities emitting the same radio frequencies as
the TPMS sensors.
2. Installing aftermarket window tinting that affects ra-
dio wave signals.
3. Accumulation of snow or ice around the wheels or
wheel housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPM sensors.
6. Loss of communication with the tire pressure moni-
toring sensors.
NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with a non-matching
full size spare wheel and tire assembly.
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WARNING! (Continued)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not overload
your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a loss of
control, poor performance or damage to brakes, axle,
engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chassis struc-
ture or tires.
Safety chains must always be used between your vehicle
and trailer. Always connect the chains to the frame or
hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the chains
under the trailer tongue and allow enough slack for
turning corners.
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow vehicle.
Put the tow vehicle transmission in PARK. With four-
wheel-drive vehicles, make sure the transfer case is not in
NEUTRAL. Always, block or chockthe trailer wheels.
GCWR must not be exceeded.
Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer so that the following four ratings
are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized (This
requirement may limit the ability to always achieve the
10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a percentage of
total trailer weight).
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