2011 RAM CHASSIS CAB tow

▫ Towing Tips ........................ 339
 Snowplow .......................... 340
▫ Before Plowing ...................... 341
▫ Snowplow Prep Package Model
Availability ......................... 341
▫ Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached .......................... 342
▫ Operating Tips ...................... 342
▫ General Maintenance .................. 343  Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 344
▫ Towing This Vehicle
Behind Another Vehicle ................ 344
▫ Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 345
▫ Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 345262 STARTING AND OPERATING

If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it
there while cranking the engine. This should clear any
excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again. WARNING!• Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
• Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle.
• If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” for further information.264 STARTING AND OPERATING

If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key
fob is released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the
accelerator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release
the accelerator pedal and the key fob once the engine is
running smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is automatically controlled and will de-
crease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord. 3500 Models — 5.7L Engine Only
The engine block heater cord is routed through the grille
by the right front tow hook.
It includes a removable cap that is secured by a tethered
strap. It also has a c-clip that is used for storage when not
in use for the winter months. During winter months,
remove the heater cord wiring assembly from itself on
the c-clip.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one
hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine.
WARNING!Remember to disconnect the engine block heater
cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt
electrical cord could cause electrocution.
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 265

3. Firmly set the parking brake.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Using the screwdriver or other suitable tool, press and
hold the override tab through the access port (ringed
circle) on the bottom of the steering column. 6. Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
Five–Speed Automatic Transmission (545RFE) —
5.7L Engine Only
The shift lever display located in the instrument panel
cluster indicates the transmission gear range. The shift
lever is mounted either on the right side of the steering
column (if equipped) or on the floor console (if
equipped). You must press the brake pedal to move the
shift lever out of the PARK position. To drive, move the
shift lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE
position. Pull the shift lever toward you when shifting
into REVERSE or PARK, or when shifting out of PARK.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows
you to limit the highest available gear when the shift
lever is in the DRIVE position. Move the console shift
lever left (-) or right (+), or toggle the switch on theInterlock Manual Override268 STARTING AND OPERATING

column shift lever down (-) or up (+) to select the desired
top gear. For example, if the driver shifts the transmission
into 3 (third gear), the transmission will never shift above
third gear, but can shift down to 2 (second gear) or 1 (first
gear), when needed. On vehicles equipped with 5.7L engines, use of ERS (or
“TOW/HAUL” mode) also enables an additional under-
drive gear which is not normally used during through-
gear accelerations. This additional gear improves vehicle
performance and cooling capability when towing a trailer
on certain grades. In ERS mode, first through third gear
are underdrive gears, and fourth gear is direct drive. ERS
fifth gear (Overdrive) is the same as the normal fourth
gear.
When in the DRIVE position in first through fourth gear,
the first tap down (-), will display the ERS designation for
the current gear (the transmission will not downshift).
For example, if you are in DRIVE and are in third (direct)
gear, when you tap the shift lever/switch one time in the
(-) direction, the display will show 4 (ERS 4 is direct gear).
Another tap down (-) will shift the transmission down to
ERS 3 (the added underdrive gear). When in the DRIVE
position in fifth gear, the first tap down (-) will downshiftColumn Shift Lever
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 269

WARNING!• Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.
• Your vehicle could move and injure you and others
if it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to
move the shift lever back and forth without first
pulling it toward you after you have set it in PARK.
Make sure it is in PARK before leaving the vehicle.
• It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake
pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward
or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle
and hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally and when
your foot is firmly on the brake pedal. REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle rearward. Use this
range only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL
This range is for when the vehicle is standing for pro-
longed periods with the engine running. The engine may
be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must
leave the vehicle.
DRIVE
This range provides all forward gears, including third
gear direct and fourth and fifth gear overdrive (Refer to
Overdrive Operation). Use this range for most city and
highway driving.
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 271

Overdrive Operation
The Overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fourth and fifth gear (Overdrive).
The transmission will automatically shift from DRIVE to
Overdrive if the following conditions are present:
• the shift lever is in DRIVE;
• the engine coolant (antifreeze) has reached normal
operating temperature;
• vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48 km/h);
• the “TOW/HAUL” switch has not been activated;
• transmission has reached normal operating temperature.
NOTE: If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough, the “Transmission
Temperature Warning Light” may illuminate and the
transmission may downshift out of Overdrive until the
transmission cools down. After cool down, the transmis-
sion will resume normal operation.
The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to
DRIVE if the accelerator pedal is fully pressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When To Use “TOW/HAUL” Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the “TOW/HAUL” switch. This will improve272 STARTING AND OPERATING

performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in the “TOW/HAUL” mode, fifth gear is
disabled and 2-3 and 3-4 shift patterns are modified. Shifts into Overdrive (normal fourth gear) are allowed
during steady cruise (for improved fuel economy) and
automatic closed-throttle downshifts to direct gear and a
special underdrive gear (refer to “Electronic Range Se-
lect” in this section) are performed (for improved brak-
ing) when driving conditions warrant.
The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has been
activated. Pressing the switch a second time restores
normal operation. If the “TOW/HAUL” mode is desired,
the button must be pressed each time the engine is
started.
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 inTOW/HAUL Switch
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 273