2011 RAM CHASSIS CAB brake fluid

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel. Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

21. Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the Anti-lock Brake System reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with the
Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS). In this case, the light will remain on until
the condition has been corrected. If the problem is related
to the brake booster, the ABS pump will run when
applying the brake and a brake pedal pulsation may be
felt during each stop. The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE: The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
4 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 187

• Turn Signal On
• RKE Battery Low
• LOW WASHER FLUID
• Oil Change Due > Dealer Info
• Park Assist On
• Park Assist Off
• Warning Object Detected
• Left Front Turn Signal Light Out
• Left Rear Turn Signal Light Out
• Right Front Turn Signal Light Out
• Right Rear Turn Signal Light Out
• Service Park Assist System
• Park Assist System Blinded • Trailer Brake (with icon and voltage readout)
• Personal Settings Not Available — Vehicle Not in Park
• Remote start aborted — Door ajar
• Remote start aborted — Hood ajar
• Remote start aborted — Fuel low
• Remote start disabled — System fault
• Remote start disabled — Turn key
• Remote start active — Key to Run
• Remote Start Disabled — Start Vehicle to Reset
• Remote Start Active — Insert Key and Turn to RUN
• Memory 1 Profile Set
• Memory 2 Profile Set
• Memory System Unavailable — Not in Park196 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Four-Position Switch) – If Equipped ....... 278
▫ Shifting Procedure ................... 282
 Limited-Slip Differential ................. 284
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 285
 Driving Through Water ................. 285
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 286
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 286
 Power Steering ....................... 288
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 289
 Parking Brake ........................ 289
 Brake System ........................ 292
▫ Dual Rear Wheel Models Only ........... 292 ▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System ....... 292
 Tire Safety Information ................. 294
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 294
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 298
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 299
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 300
 Tires — General Information ............. 304
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 304
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 305
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 309
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 309
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 310
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 310260 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION! (Continued)• Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination
(i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance)
after driving through standing water. Do not con-
tinue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further dam-
age. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. WARNING!• Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.
• Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
• Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
• Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 287

Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho-
rized dealer.
CAUTION!Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering
system as the chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. WARNING!Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts”
in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied, the engine is off and the key fob is
removed from the ignition switch. Also, be certain to
leave an automatic transmission in PARK, or manual
transmission in REVERSE or first gear.
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 289

BRAKE SYSTEM
If power assist is lost for any reason (for example,
repeated brake applications with the engine off), the
brakes will still function. However, you will experience a
substantial increase in braking effort to stop the vehicle.
If either the front or rear hydraulic system loses normal
braking capability, the remaining system will still func-
tion with some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This
will be evident by increased pedal travel during applica-
tion, greater pedal force required to slow or stop, and
activation of the “Brake Warning Light” and the “ABS
Warning Light” (if equipped) during brake use.
Dual Rear Wheel Models Only
The brake system power assist is provided by a hydro-
boost unit which shares fluid with the power steering
system. You may experience some clicking or hissing
noises from the hydro-boost system during hard braking
conditions. NOTE: Under cold temperatures, pedal effort will be
higher than normal until the power steering fluid reaches
operating temperature.
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System
WARNING!The Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System contains
sophisticated electronic equipment. It may be sus-
ceptible to interference caused by improperly in-
stalled or high output radio transmitting equipment.
This interference can cause possible loss of anti-lock
braking capability. Installation of such equipment
should be performed by qualified professionals.
The Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is de-
signed to aid the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system operates292 STARTING AND OPERATING

Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is
allowed ONLY if the rear wheels are OFF the ground.
This may be accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle
trailer. If using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. Place automatic transmis-
sion in PARK, manual transmission in gear (not in Neutral).
4. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.
6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for tow-
ing, to secure the front wheels in the straight position. CAUTION!• Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will
cause severe transmission damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Do not disconnect the driveshaft because fluid
will leak from the transmission, causing damage
to internal parts.
Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive Models
NOTE: Both the manual shift and electronic shift trans-
fer cases must be shifted into NEUTRAL for recreational
towing. Automatic transmissions must be shifted into
PARK for recreational towing. Manual transmissions
must be placed in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL) for recre-
ational towing. Refer to the following for the proper
transfer case NEUTRAL shifting procedure for your
vehicle. 5 STARTING AND OPERATING 345