2011 Ram 3500 wheel torque

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats.
5. Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in miles per
hour and/or kilometers per hour (MPH/km/h).
6. 4LOW Indicator Light – If Equipped This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive LOW mode. The front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. Low range provides a greater
gear reduction ratio to provide increased torque at the
wheels. For vehicles equipped with a premium cluster this indi-
cator will display in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC). Refer to ”Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
7. 4WD Indicator Light – If Equipped
This light indicates the vehicle is in four-wheel
drive and 4LOCK. 4WD allows all four wheels
to receive torque from the engine simulta-
neously.
8. 4WD Auto Indicator Light – If Equipped The 4WD AUTO indicator light will be illumi-
nated whenever the four-wheel drive mode is
automatically engaged.
12 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service. Refer to “What To Do In Emergencies/If Your
Engine Overheats” in the Owner’s Manual for more
information.
•SERV 4WD Warning LightThis light monitors the electric shift 4WD sys-
tem. If the SERV 4WD warning light stays on or
comes on during driving, it means that the
4WD system is not functioning properly and
that service is required.
•Transmission Temperature Warning Light This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as four-wheel drive
operation (e.g., snow plowing, off-road operation). If this light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the “Transmission Tem-
perature Warning Light” illuminated will eventually
cause severe transmission damage or transmission
failure.
WARNING!
In some circumstances, the “Transmission Tempera-
ture Warning Light” under continued operation,
could cause the fluid to boil over, come in contact
with hot engine or exhaust components and cause a
fire.
26 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING!
Do not use the exhaust brake feature when driving in
icy or slippery conditions as the increased engine
braking can cause the rear wheels to slide and the
vehicle to swing around with the possible loss of
vehicle control, which may cause an accident possi-
bly resulting in personal injury or death.
NOTE: For optimum braking power it is recommended
to use the exhaust brake while in TOW/HAUL mode.
The purpose of the exhaust brake (engine braking) fea-
ture is to supply negative (braking) torque to the engine.
Typically, the engine braking is used for, but not limited
to, vehicle towing applications where vehicle braking can
be achieved by the internal engine power, thereby spar-
ing the mechanical brakes of the vehicle. Benefits of the exhaust brake are:•vehicle driving control
•reduced brake fade
•longer brake life
•faster cab warm-up.
The exhaust brake feature can also be used to reduce the
engine warm up time. To use the exhaust brake as a
warm-up device, the vehicle must be stopped or moving
less than 5 mph (8 km/h), the exhaust brake switch must
be in the ON position, and the coolant temperature must
be below 180°F (82°C) and ambient temperature below
60°F (16°C).
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 59

The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has been
activated. If the “TOW/HAUL” mode is desired, the
switch must be pressed each time the engine is started.
WARNING!
Do not use the “TOW/HAUL” feature when driving
in icy or slippery conditions. The increased engine
braking can cause the rear wheels to slide, and the
vehicle to swing around with the possible loss of
vehicle control, which may cause an accident possi-
bly resulting in personal injury or death.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
high gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during
acceleration when the transmission downshifts to first or
second gear, the clutch automatically disengages.
TOW/HAUL Switch
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 73

Resetting Oil Change Indicator............... 27
Resetting Perform Service Indicator ........... 138
Seat Belts Reminder ............................ 20
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 114,131
Settings, Personal ........................ 34
Shifting ............................... 60
Automatic Transmission .................. 62
Manual Transmission .................... 74
Signals, Turn ............................ 11
Speedometer ............................ 12
Starting ............................... 44
Automatic Transmission .................. 44
Engine Block Heater ................... 44,57
Manual Transmission .................... 44
Starting Procedures ....................... 44
Starting Procedures (Diesel Engines) ........... 44Steering
Wheel Lock ............................ 6
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 102
Tachometer ............................. 11
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant ........... 11
Tip Start ............................... 44
Ti re s Pressure Warning Light .................. 16
Torque Converter Clutch .................67,73
Tow/Haul ............................. 66
Traction Control ......................... 121
Traction Control Light ..................... 20
Transfer Case Fluid ............................... 133
Transmission Automatic .......................... 62,68
Fluid ............................... 133
Manual ............................ 44,74
8
INDEX 167