2011 Ram 1500 key

14. Shift the transmission into PARK or place manual
transmission in gear (not in Neutral).
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
NEUTRAL and the engine running. With the transfer
case in NEUTRAL, ensure that the engine is OFF
prior to shifting the transmission into PARK.
15. Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.
16. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable
tow bar.
17. Release the parking brake.
NOTE:
•The transfer case cannot be shifted into NEUTRAL
from the 4WD AUTO (if equipped) position.
•Steps 1 through 5 are requirements that must be met
prior to pressing the NEUTRAL button, and must
continue to be met until the shift has been completed.
If any of these requirements are not met prior to
pressing the NEUTRAL button or are no longer met
during the shift, the NEUTRAL indicator light will
flash continuously until all requirements are met or
until the NEUTRAL button is released.
•The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position
for a shift to take place and for the position indicator
lights to be operable. If the ignition switch is not in the
ON/RUN position, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
•A flashing NEUTRAL indicator light indicates that
shift requirements have not been met.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 485

Shifting Out Of Neutral – Electronic Shift Transfer
Case (If Equipped)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it con-
nected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Insert the key fob into the ignition switch and turn it to
the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
6. Press and hold the transfer case NEUTRAL button
(located by the selector switch) until the NEUTRAL
indicator light turns off.
7. After the NEUTRAL indicator light turns off, release
the NEUTRAL button.8. After the NEUTRAL button has been released, the
transfer case will shift to the position identified by the
selector switch.
NOTE:
When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL,
turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid gear
clash.
9. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK, or place
manual transmission in Neutral.
10. Release the brake pedal.
11. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
12. Start the engine.
13. Press and hold the brake pedal.
14. Release the parking brake.
486 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 518
▫ Towing Without The Ignition Key FOB ..... 519▫
Two-Wheel Drive Models .............. 520
▫ Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles .............. 520
490 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for the purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws applying to
vehicles under tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, see Brake/
Transmission Interlock Manual Override (under Starting
and Operating, Automatic Transmission) for instructions
on shifting the automatic transmission out of the PARK
position for towing.CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to use sling type equipment when
towing. When securing the vehicle to a flat bed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may result
from improper towing.
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition must be in the ON/RUN or ACC position,
not in the LOCK position.
Towing Without The Ignition Key Fob
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 519

the SELECT button to turn off the message. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing. Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may
notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not
crank or start the engine.
2. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
3. As soon as you turn the ignition switch to the ON
position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part of
a normal bulb check.
530 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION! (Continued)
•When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to
use only a fuse having the correct amperage rating.
The use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated
may result in a dangerous electrical system over-
load. If a properly rated fuse continues to blow, it
indicates a problem in the circuit that must be
corrected.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are storing your vehicle for more than 21 days, we
recommend that you take the following steps to mini-
mize the drain on your vehicle’s battery:
•Disconnect the Ignition-Off Draw (IOD) fuse located in
the Integrated Power Module, located in the engine
compartment. The IOD cavity includes a snap-in re-
tainer that allows the fuse to be disconnected without
removing it from the fuse block.
•As an alternative to the above steps you may discon-
nect the negative cables from both batteries.
•Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of
service (i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning system at idle for about five minutes
in the fresh air and high blower setting. This will
ensure adequate system lubrication to minimize the
possibility of compressor damage when the system is
started again.
NOTE:
•When reinstalling the IOD fuse push firmly until fully
seated; the gauges in the instrument cluster will do a
full sweep when the ignition switch is turned to the
RUN position. This is a normal condition.
•When the vehicle is shipped from the factory, the IOD
fuse is in the up or extracted position. If the radio,
interior lamps, keyless entry or other features do not
work with the key OFF, check the position of the fuse
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 569

Fluid and Filter Changes............... 557
Fluid Level Check ..............554,555,556
Fluid Type ...................... 554,583
Gear Ranges ........................ 314
Shifting ........................... 318
Special Additives ..................... 555
Torque Converter .................... 318
Axle Fluid .......................... 553,583
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid) ............... 553
B-Pillar Location ........................ 411
Back-Up Camera ........................ 147
Bar, Stabilizer/Sway System ................ 344
Battery ............................... 536
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 24
Saving Feature (Protection) .............. 127
Belts, Seat ............................ 39,83
Body Builders Guide ....................... 6
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 539Brake Assist System
...................... 396
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 395
Brake Fluid ......................... 551,583
Brake System ........................ 394,550
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 395
Fluid Check ........................ 551
Master Cylinder ..................... 551
Parking ........................... 392
Warning Light ....................... 219
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 313
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 81
Bulb Replacement ....................... 571
Bulbs, Light .......................... 85,570
Cab Top Clearance Lights .................. 576
Calibration, Compass ..................... 241
Camera, Rear ........................... 147
Camper ............................... 198
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 580
10
INDEX 615

Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 457
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................ 456
Guide, Body Builders ...................... 6
GVWR ............................... 454
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™) ............. 101
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 366
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 491
Head Restraints ......................... 114
Headlights ............................ 571
Automatic ......................... 123
Cleaning ........................... 561
High Beam ......................... 129
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...... 129
Lights On Reminder .................. 127
Passing ............................ 128
Switch ............................ 123 Heated Mirrors
....................... 99,180
Heated Seats ........................... 104
Heater ............................... 291
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 311
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 129
Hitches Trailer Towing ....................... 460
Hoisting .............................. 510
HomeLink® (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . 152
Hood Release .......................... 120
Hub Caps ............................. 505
Ignition ............................... 14
Key ............................. 12,14
Ignition Key Removal ..................... 14
Illuminated Entry ........................ 19
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ................... 16
Infant Restraint ........................ 67,68
Inflation Pressure Tires .................... 424
10
INDEX 621