2011 Ram 2500 traction control

NOTE:ABS improves steering control of the vehicle
during hard braking maneuvers.
WARNING!
•ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and
tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS cannot prevent collisions, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing.
•The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 391

WARNING! (Continued)
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have a collision.
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED
A light load vehicle condition is defined as two passen-
gers [150 lbs (68 kg) each] plus 200 lbs (91 kg) of cargo.
Cold tire inflation pressures for a lightly loaded vehicle
will be found on the face of the driver’s door.
TIRE CHAINS
Use “Class S” chains, or other traction aids that meet SAE
Type “S” specifications.
Use “Class U” chains on 2500/3500 model trucks, or
other traction aids that meet SAE Type “U” specifica-
tions.
NOTE:Chains must be the proper size for the vehicle as
recommended by the chain manufacturer.
418 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 depart
significantly 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 onwet 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.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 599

Electrical Power Outlets................... 160
Electronic Brake Control System............. 390
Anti-Lock Brake System................. 390
Brake Assist System.................... 392
Electronic Stability Program............... 396
Traction Control System................. 391
Electronic Range Select (ERS)............... 316
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 135
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 396
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC).............................147,223
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case........327,334
Emergency Brake........................ 387
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 505
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 482
Jump Starting......................... 501
Tow Hooks.......................... 507
Emission Control System Maintenance......520,574Engine..........................516,517,518
Air Cleaner.......................... 526
Block Heater......................... 307
Break-In Recommendations................ 81
Compartment Identification.........516,517,518
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 571
Exhaust Gas Caution..................83,440
Flooded, Starting...................... 306
Fuel Requirements..................... 569
Jump Starting......................... 501
Multi-Displacement.................... 387
Oil ...........................523,569,571
Oil Filler Cap......................... 524
Oil Selection.......................524,569
Oil Synthetic......................... 525
Temperature Gauge.................... 206
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 64
Ethanol............................... 437
Event Data Recorder...................... 67
606 INDEX

Center Mounted Stop................... 564
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator)........ 219
Courtesy/Reading..................... 149
Daytime Running...................... 127
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . . 399
Exterior.............................. 86
Fog ..........................124,221,562
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator............... 327
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 482
Headlights........................... 123
High Beam........................129,215
High Beam Indicator.................... 215
High Beam/Low Beam Select............. 129
Illuminated Entry....................... 19
Instrument Cluster..................202,206
Interior..........................125,149
Lights On Reminder.................... 127
Low Fuel............................ 214
Oil Pressure.......................... 217Passing............................. 128
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 222
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm).............. 210
Service............................. 559
Side Marker.......................... 568
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm).............. 210
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)........217,424
Traction Control....................... 399
Transfer Case......................... 327
Turn Signal...................86,128,559,562
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . 202,206
Limited-Slip Differential................360,542
Loading Vehicle......................... 446
Tires ............................... 407
Locks................................. 29
Child Protection........................ 33
Door................................ 29
Power Door........................... 30
Low Tire Pressure System.................. 424
10
INDEX 611

High Speed.......................... 413
Inflation Pressures..................... 412
Life of Tires.......................... 416
Load Capacity.....................407,408
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 424
Pressure Warning Light.................. 217
Quality Grading....................... 598
Radial.............................. 414
Replacement......................... 417
Rotation............................ 421
Safety...........................401,411
Sizes............................... 403
Snow Tires........................... 420
Spinning............................ 415
Tread Wear Indicators................... 416
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 454
Torque Converter Clutch................316,322
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 507
Towing............................448,508Disabled Vehicle....................... 508
Guide.............................. 454
Recreational.......................... 471
Weight.............................. 454
Traction.............................. 361
Traction Control......................... 391
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)................. 400
Trailer Towing.......................... 448
Cooling System Tips.................... 465
Hitches............................. 453
Minimum Requirements................. 455
Mirrors.............................. 99
Trailer and Tongue Weight............... 454
Wiring.............................. 463
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 454
Trailer Weight.......................... 454
Transfer Case........................... 542
Electronically Shifted.................327,334
Fluid............................... 572
618 INDEX