2011 Ram 1500 traction control

Traction Control System (TCS) – If Equipped
The TCS 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 functions similarly 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 ESC are in
the “Partial Off” mode. Refer to “Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)” in this section of this manual. This brake
pressure modulation transfers drive torque from slipping
to non-slipping wheels to provide optimal forward
traction.
Brake Assist System (BAS) – If Equipped
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
BAS detects an emergency braking situation by sensing
the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. The system
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.
396 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of phys-
ics 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 collisions, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing.
•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.
Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver in
launching a vehicle on an incline. HSA will maintain thelevel 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, HSA will activate the brake control
system and a clicking noise may occur. If your foot is on
the brake pedal during operation you may feel a slight
pedal movement. The clicking and pedal movement is
normal and both will stop when HSA becomes inactive.
HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
•Vehicle must be stopped
•Vehicle must be on a 7% or greater incline
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 397

Light” comes on continuously with the engine running, a
malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. 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.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (lo-
cated in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as
the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during ac-
celeration, 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.NOTE:
•The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light”
and the “ESC OFF Indicator Light” come on momen-
tarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off.
404 STARTING AND OPERATING

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 611

Dual Rear Wheels..................... 429,507
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™) .... 286
E-85 Fuel ............................. 448
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 180
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 162
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 395
Anti-Lock Brake System ................ 395
Brake Assist System ................... 396
Electronic Stability Program ............. 400
Traction Control System ................ 396
Electronic Range Select (ERS) ............... 318
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 134
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 400
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) ............................. 147,227
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case ........329,336
Emergency Brake ........................ 392 Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............. 514
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 491
Jump Starting ....................... 510
Tow Hooks ......................... 515
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 530
Engine .......................... 526,527,528
Air Cleaner ......................... 536
Block Heater ........................ 311
Break-In Recommendations .............. 81
Compartment Identification ........526,527,528
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................. 582
Exhaust Gas Caution ................82,447
Flooded, Starting ..................... 310
Fuel Requirements .................... 580
Jump Starting ....................... 510
Multi-Displacement ................... 392
Oil ......................... 533,580,582
Oil Filler Cap ....................... 534
618 INDEX

Brake Assist Warning.................. 403
Brake Warning ...................... 219
Bulb Replacement ................. 570,571
Cap Top Clearance ................... 576
Cargo ............................. 126
Center Mounted Stop .................. 575
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) ...... 223
Courtesy/Reading .................... 150
Daytime Running .................... 127
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . 403
Exterior ............................ 85
Fog ......................... 124,225,573
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator ............. 329
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 491
Headlights ......................... 123
High Beam ...................... 129,219
High Beam Indicator .................. 219
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............ 129
Illuminated Entry ..................... 19 Instrument Cluster
................. 206,210
Interior ......................... 125,150
Lights On Reminder .................. 127
Low Fuel .......................... 218
Oil Pressure ........................ 221
Passing ............................ 128
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 226
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............ 214
Service ......................... 570,571
Side Marker ........................ 579
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 214
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .......221,430
Traction Control ..................... 403
Transfer Case ....................... 329
Turn Signal ................. 85,128,571,573
Warning (Instrument Cluster
Description) ..................... 206,210
Limited-Slip Differential ................365,554
Loading Vehicle ......................... 453
10
INDEX 623

Tip Start.............................. 309
Tire and Loading Information Placard ...... 411,424
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 409
Tire Markings .......................... 406
Tire Safety Information .................... 406
Tires ............................ 85,415,611
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 422
Air Pressure ........................ 415
Chains ............................ 425
Compact Spare ...................... 419
Dual ........................... 429,507
General Information .................. 415
High Speed ......................... 417
Inflation Pressures .................... 416
Life of Tires ........................ 422
Load Capacity .................... 41 1,412
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 430
Pressure Warning Light ................ 221
Quality Grading ..................... 611 Radial
............................ 418
Replacement ........................ 423
Rotation ........................... 428
Safety .......................... 406,415
Sizes ............................. 407
Snow Tires ......................... 427
Spinning ........................... 421
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 422
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 462
Torque Converter Clutch ................318,324
Tow Hooks, Emergency ................... 515
Towing ............................ 456,518
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 518
Guide ............................. 461
Recreational ........................ 478
Weight ............................ 461
Traction .............................. 365
Traction Control ......................... 396
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ................. 405
630 INDEX