2011 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 309
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 309
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 309
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C)............... 310
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 310
▫ After Starting ....................... 311
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 311
 Automatic Transmission ................. 312 ▫
Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 313
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 313
▫ Four–Speed Automatic Transmission – If
Equipped .......................... 313
▫ Five–Speed Automatic Transmission – If
Equipped .......................... 318
 Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped . . 325
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case – If
Equipped .......................... 325
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▫Shifting Procedure – Manually Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... 328
▫ Transfer Case Position Indicator Light ...... 329
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Four-Position Switch) – If Equipped ....... 329
▫ Shifting Procedure ................... 333
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Five-Position Switch) – If Equipped ....... 336
▫ Shifting Procedure ................... 340
 Axle Locker System (2500 Models Only) —
If Equipped .......................... 342
 Stabilizer/Sway Bar System — Power Wagon
Only ............................... 344
 Safe Off-Road Driving — Power Wagon
Only ............................... 347 ▫
Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics ...................... 347
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ......... 350
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) ............................ 351
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... 354
▫ Driving Through Water ................ 356
▫ Airing Down For Off-Road Driving ....... 359
▫ Vehicle Recovery ..................... 360
▫ After Driving Off-Road ................ 363
 Limited-Slip Differential ................. 365
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 365
▫ Acceleration ........................ 365
▫ Traction ........................... 366
304 STARTING AND OPERATING

Driving Through Water ................. 366
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 367
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 367
 Off-Road Driving Tips .................. 369
▫ After Driving Off-Road ................ 369
 Winch Usage (Power Wagon Only) —
If Equipped .......................... 370
▫ Things To Know Before Using Your Winch . . 370
▫ Understanding The Features Of Your
Winch ............................ 372
▫ Winch Accessories .................... 374
▫ Operating Your Winch ................. 375
▫ Rigging Techniques ................... 388
 Power Steering ....................... 390 ▫
Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 391
 Multi-Displacement System (MDS)
(If Equipped) — 5.7L Engine Only .......... 392
 Parking Brake ........................ 392
 Brake System ........................ 394
▫ 3500 Dual Rear Wheel Models Only ....... 394
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 395
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 395
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) –
If Equipped ........................ 396
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) – If Equipped . . . 396
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped ...... 397
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – If
Equipped .......................... 400
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STARTING AND OPERATING 305

▫ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 403
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) – If Equipped . . . 405
 Tire Safety Information ................. 406
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 406
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 409
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 410
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 411
 Tires — General Information ............. 415
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 415
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 416
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 417
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 418 ▫
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 419
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 419
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 420
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 420
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 421
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 422
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 422
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 423
 Supplemental Tire Pressure Information — If
Equipped ............................ 424
 Tire Chains .......................... 425
 Snow Tires .......................... 427
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 428
306 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Directional Tires – If Equipped ........... 429
▫ Dual Rear Wheels .................... 429
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 430
▫ Base System ........................ 433
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 435
▫ Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Tire
Light Load Inflation Switch Description
(2500 Models) – If Equipped ............ 439
▫ General Information .................. 442
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 443
▫ 3.7L And 4.7L Engine ................. 443
▫ 5.7L Engine ........................ 443
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 444
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 444▫
E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 445
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 445
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 446
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 446
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 447
 Flexible Fuel (4.7L Engine Only) —
If Equipped .......................... 448
▫ E-85 General Information ............... 448
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ................... 449
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 449
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 450
▫ Starting ........................... 450
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 451
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STARTING AND OPERATING 307

▫Replacement Parts ................... 451
▫ Maintenance ........................ 451
 Adding Fuel ......................... 452
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 453
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 453
▫ Certification Label ................... 453
 Trailer Towing ........................ 456
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 456
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 460
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... 461
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 462▫
Towing Requirements ................. 463
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 472
 Snowplow .......................... 474
▫ 1500 Models Only .................... 474
▫ 2500/3500 Models Only ................ 474
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 478
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle ............................ 478
▫ Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 479
▫ Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 479
308 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt.
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!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key fob in
the ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or pressing the acceleratorpedal. Turn the key fob to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the key fob to the OFF position, wait five
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting into any
driving range.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
pressed to shift out of PARK.
Tip Start Feature
Do not
press the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch
briefly to the START position and release it. The starter
motor will continue to run but will automatically disen-
gage when the engine is running.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 309

Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F or29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
If 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.
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.
•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 “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” for further information.
310 STARTING AND OPERATING