2011 Ram 2500 charging

The fog lights will operate only when the parking lights
are on or when the vehicle headlights are on low beam.
An indicator light located in the instrument cluster will
illuminate when the fog lights are on. The fog lights willturn off when the switch is pushed a second time, when
the headlight switch is rotated to the off position, or the
high beam is selected.
Interior Lights
Courtesy and dome lights are turned on when the front
doors are opened, when the dimmer control (rotating
wheel on the bottom of the switch) is rotated to the far
right detent position, or if equipped, when the UNLOCK
button is pressed on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. When a door is open and the interior lights
are on, rotating the dimmer control all the way left, to the
OFF detent, will cause all the interior lights to go out.
This is also known as thePartymode because it allows
the doors to stay open for extended periods of time
without discharging the vehicle’s battery.
Fog Light Switch
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 125

WARNING!
Continued operation with the Transmission Tem-
perature Warning Light illuminated could cause the
fluid to boil over, come in contact with hot engine or
exhaust components causing a fire that may result in
personal injury.
For vehicles equipped with a premium cluster this warn-
ing light will display in the Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC). Refer to ”Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) — If Equipped” for further
information.
31. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned to ON/
RUN, this light will turn on for five to eight
seconds as a bulb check. During the bulb check, if
the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound.
After the bulb check or when driving, if the driver’s seatbelt remains unbuckled, the seat belt reminder light will
flash or remain on continuously. Refer to “Occupant
Restraints” in “Things To Know Before Starting Your
Vehicle” for further information.
32. Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical charg-
ing system. The light should come on when the
ignition switch is first turned to ON/RUN and remain on
briefly as a bulb check. If the light stays on or comes on
while driving, turn off some of the vehicle’s non-essential
electrical devices or increase engine speed (if at idle). If
the charging system light remains on, it means that the
vehicle is experiencing a problem with the charging
system. Obtain SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. See an autho-
rized dealer.
If jump starting is required, refer to “Jump Starting
Procedures” in “What To Do In Emergencies”.
222 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
•Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical charg-
ing system. The light should come on when the
ignition switch is first turned ON and remain on briefly
as a bulb check. If the light stays on or comes on while
driving, turn off some of the vehicle’s non-essential
electrical devices or increase engine speed (if at idle). If
the charging system light remains on, it means that the
vehicle is experiencing a problem with the charging
system. Obtain SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. See an autho-
rized dealer.
If jump starting is required, refer to “Jump Starting
Procedures” in “What To Do In Emergencies”.
•Electronic Speed Control Light
This light will turn on when the electronic
speed control is ON.
•Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. The
light will come on when the ignition is first
turned ON and remain on briefly as a bulb
check. If the light does not come on during starting, have
the system checked by an authorized dealer.
If a problem is detected, the light will come on while the
engine is running. Cycle the ignition key when the
vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever is
placed in the PARK position. The light should turn off.
228 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

This feature allows an iPodto be plugged into the
vehicle’s sound system through a 16–pin connector, using
the provided interface cable.
UCI supports Mini, 4G, Photo, Nano, 5G iPodand
iPhonedevices. Some iPodsoftware versions may not
fully support the UCI features. Please visit Apple’s
website for software updates.
NOTE:
•If the radio has a USB port, refer to the appropriate
Uconnect Multimedia radio user ’s manual for iPod or
external USB device support capability.
•Connecting an iPodto the AUX port located in the
radio faceplate, plays media, but does not use the UCI
feature to control the connected device.
Connecting The iPod
Use the provided connection cable to connect an iPodto
the vehicle’s 16–pin connector port (which is located in
the glove compartment on some vehicles). Once the
iPodis connected and synchronized to the vehicle’s UCI
system (iPodmay take a few seconds to connect), the
iPodstarts charging and is ready for use by pressing
radio switches, as described below.
NOTE:
•It may be necessary to remove the connector pin
protection cap from the 16–pin connector port, prior to
connecting the cable.
•If the iPodbattery is completely discharged, it may
not communicate with the UCI system until a mini-
mum charge is attained. Leaving the iPodconnected
to the UCI system may charge it to the required level.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 271

UNIVERSAL CONSUMER INTERFACE (UCI) 1.0 —
IF EQUIPPED
NOTE:This section is for sales code RES and REQ/
REL/RET radios only with Uconnect™. For sales code
RER, REN, RBZ, REP, REW, RB2 or REZ touch-screen
radio UCI feature, refer to the separate RER, REN, RBZ,
RB2 or REZ User’s Manual. UCI is available only if
equipped as an option with these radios.
This feature allows an iPodor external USB device to be
plugged into the USB port.
UCI supports Mini, 4G, Photo, Nano, 5G iPodand
iPhonedevices. Some iPodsoftware versions may not
fully support the UCI features. Please visit Apple’s
website for software updates.NOTE:
•If the radio has a USB port, refer to the appropriate
Uconnect™ Multimedia radio User ’s Manual for
iPodor external USB device support capability.
•Connecting an iPodor consumer electronic audio
device to the AUX port located in the radio faceplate,
plays media, but does not use the UCI feature to
control the connected device.
Connecting The iPodor External USB Device
Once the audio device is connected and synchronized to the
vehicle’s UCI system (iPoddevice may take a few minutes
to connect), the audio device starts charging and is ready for
use by pressing radio switches, as described below.
NOTE:If the audio device battery is completely dis-
charged, it may not communicate with the UCI system
until a minimum charge is attained. Leaving the audio
device connected to the UCI system may charge it to the
required level.
276 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

WINCH USAGE (POWER WAGON ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED
Things To Know Before Using Your Winch
General Winch Information
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric vehicle recovery
winch. This winch uses the electrical power from the
vehicle charging system to power a motor that winds
wire rope into the winch drum via planetary gear reduc-
tion. By nature, a winch is capable of generating very
high forces and should be used with care. Do not operate
the winch without reading and understanding the com-
plete winch owner’s manual.
Tensioning the Wire Rope
The winch rope must be properly tensioned before use.
Follow the instructions below to tension the rope:
1. Un-spool the wire rope leaving five wraps of rope on
the winch drum.2. Attach the hook to a suitable anchor point.
CAUTION!
Be certain the anchor will withstand the load re-
quired to tension the wire rope.
3. Apply at least 500 lbs (227 kg) of tension to the rope
while winding the rope. Always use care to ensure the
rope does not pile up on one side of the drum and is
neatly wound onto the drum.
CAUTION!
Wire rope must spool on the winch drum in the
direction indicated on the drum rotation decal on the
winch.
366 STARTING AND OPERATING

Low Voltage Interrupt
Your winch is equipped with a device that will interrupt
winch function if the vehicle charging system voltage
drops to a low level. The winch will not power-in or out
for 30 seconds if this device is tripped. If the interrupt is
tripped, the vehicle should be operated at high idle for a
few minutes to allow the vehicle charging system to
recover before continuing to winch.
Winch Motor Thermal Protection
Your winch is equipped with a thermal protection device
in the motor. If the winch is operated for an excessive
duration, the device may interrupt motor function to
protect the winch motor. During this time the winch will
power-out but will not power-in. Allow the winch motor
to cool for a few minutes before continuing to winch. The
winch will resume normal function once the motor cools.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 367

1.Motor:The winch motor is powered by the vehicle
charging system and features a thermal protection switch
that automatically stops motor function in the power-in
direction if the motor gets too hot.
2.Remote Socket:The remote socket allows the remote
control to be attached to the control pack to allow the
winch to function.
3.Winch Drum with Integral Brake:The winch drum
allows the wire rope to be stored on the winch and
transmits force to the wire rope. The winch is equipped
with an integral brake that will stop rotation of the winch
drum if the winch motor is stopped.
4.3-Stage Planetary Gear Set:Provides balance between
speed and pulling power.
5.Wire Rope:The wire rope allows the winch to be
connected to an anchor to provide a pulling force.6.Clutch Lever:The clutch lever allows the winch drum
to be disconnected from the winch motor to allow the
wire rope to be pulled from the winch by hand.
7.Remote Control:The remote control provides the
interface between the winch operator and the winch. The
remote control provides the ability to power the winch in,
out, and stop the winch. To operate the winch, the toggle
switch is pressed down to power the winch in and up to
power the winch out. The winch will stop if the switch is
left in the neutral (center) position.
CAUTION!
If not installed, the hook strap must be placed on the
hook.
Fairlead:The fairlead acts as a guide for the wire rope
and minimizes damage to the rope.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 369