2011 Ram 3500 Owner's Manual

Vacation/Storage
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
fresh air with the blower setting in high. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging and Frosting
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside of the glass in
mild, rainy and/or humid weather. Windows may frost
on the inside of the glass in very cold weather. To clear
the windows, select Defrost or Mix mode and increase
the front blower speed. Do not use the Recirculation
mode without A/C for long periods, as fogging may
occur.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow, can cause
odor, and if they enter the plenum they could plug the
water drains. In Winter months make sure the air intake
is clear of ice, slush and snow.
296 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Operating Tips
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 297

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures.................... 305
▫Normal Starting..................... 305
▫Automatic Transmission............... 305
▫If Engine Fails To Start................ 306
▫After Starting....................... 307
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped........ 307
Automatic Transmission................. 308
▫Key Ignition Park Interlock............. 309
▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 309▫Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual
Override.......................... 309
▫Four–Speed Automatic Transmission
– If Equipped....................... 311
▫Five–Speed Automatic Transmission
– If Equipped....................... 316
Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped . . 323
▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case
– If Equipped....................... 323
▫Shifting Procedure – Manually Shifted
Transfer Case....................... 326
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▫Transfer Case Position Indicator Light...... 327
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Four-Position Switch) – If Equipped....... 327
▫Shifting Procedure................... 331
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Five-Position Switch) – If Equipped....... 334
▫Shifting Procedure................... 338
Axle Locker System (2500 Models Only)
— If Equipped........................ 340
Safe Off-Road Driving —
Power Wagon Only..................... 343
▫Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics...................... 343
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand......... 345▫Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points)............................ 347
▫Hill Climbing....................... 349
▫Driving Through Water................ 352
▫Airing Down For Off-Road Driving....... 354
▫Vehicle Recovery..................... 355
▫After Driving Off-Road................ 359
Limited-Slip Differential................. 360
Driving On Slippery Surfaces............. 361
▫Acceleration........................ 361
▫Traction........................... 362
Driving Through Water................. 362
▫Flowing/Rising Water................. 362
300 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Shallow Standing Water............... 363
Off-Road Driving Tips.................. 364
▫After Driving Off-Road................ 364
Winch Usage (Power Wagon Only)
— If Equipped........................ 366
▫Things To Know Before Using Your Winch . . 366
▫Understanding The Features Of
Your Winch........................ 368
▫Winch Accessories.................... 370
▫Operating Your Winch................. 371
▫Rigging Techniques................... 383
Power Steering....................... 385
▫Power Steering Fluid Check............. 386Multi-Displacement System (MDS) (If
Equipped) — 5.7L Engine Only............ 387
Parking Brake........................ 387
Brake System........................ 390
▫3500 Dual Rear Wheel Models Only....... 390
Electronic Brake Control System........... 390
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........... 390
▫Traction Control System (TCS) –
If Equipped........................ 391
▫Brake Assist System (BAS) – If Equipped . . . 392
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped...... 393
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC) –
If Equipped........................ 396
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STARTING AND OPERATING 301

▫ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light............ 399
▫Trailer Sway Control (TSC) – If Equipped . . . 400
Tire Safety Information................. 401
▫Tire Markings....................... 401
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)......... 405
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions......... 406
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure.......... 407
Tires — General Information............. 411
▫Tire Pressure....................... 411
▫Tire Inflation Pressures................ 412
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 413
▫Radial Ply Tires..................... 414▫Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped......... 414
▫Tire Spinning....................... 415
▫Tread Wear Indicators................. 416
▫Life Of Tire........................ 416
▫Replacement Tires.................... 417
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information
— If Equipped........................ 418
Tire Chains.......................... 418
Snow Tires.......................... 420
Tire Rotation Recommendations........... 421
▫Directional Tires – If Equipped........... 422
▫Dual Rear Wheels.................... 423
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)....... 424
302 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Base System........................ 426
▫Premium System – If Equipped.......... 428
▫Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Tire
Light Load Inflation Switch Description
(2500 Models) – If Equipped............ 431
▫General Information.................. 435
Fuel Requirements..................... 435
▫3.7L And 4.7L Engine................. 435
▫5.7L Engine........................ 436
▫Reformulated Gasoline................ 436
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............. 437
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles...... 437
▫MMT In Gasoline.................... 438
▫Materials Added To Fuel............... 438▫Fuel System Cautions................. 439
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings............ 440
Flexible Fuel (4.7L Engine Only) —
If Equipped.......................... 440
▫E85 General Information............... 440
▫Ethanol Fuel (E85)................... 441
▫Fuel Requirements................... 442
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E85) And Gasoline Vehicles...... 443
▫Starting........................... 443
▫Cruising Range...................... 443
▫Replacement Parts................... 443
▫Maintenance........................ 444
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STARTING AND OPERATING 303