2011 RAM CHASSIS CAB tires

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

▫ 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

▫ Replacement Tires .................... 311
 Supplemental Tire Pressure Information —
If Equipped .......................... 313
 Tire Chains .......................... 313
 Snow Tires .......................... 315
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 315
▫ Dual Rear Wheels .................... 316
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 317
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 318
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 318
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 319
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 319
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 320 ▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 320
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 321
 Adding Fuel ......................... 322
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 323
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 324
▫ Certification Label ................... 324
 Trailer Towing ........................ 326
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 326
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 329
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 330
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 330
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 331
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 261

• Four-wheel drive low range (4L)
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2H
position for normal street and highway conditions such
as dry, hard surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required, the 4H and 4L
positions can be used to lock the front and rear drive-
shafts together and force the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by simply
moving the shift lever to the desired positions. The 4H
and 4L positions are intended for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Driving in the 4H and 4L positions on dry,
hard surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and
damage to the driveline components.
The “Transfer Case Position Indicator Light” in the
instrument cluster will alert the driver that the vehicle is
in four-wheel drive and that the front and rear drive-
shafts are locked together. This light will illuminate when the transfer case is shifted into either the 4H or 4L
position. There is no light for the 2H or NEUTRAL
positions.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed is
approximately three times that of the 2H or 4H positions
at a given road speed. Take care not to overspeed the
engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
can cause damage to the transfer case.
NOTE: Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The transfer case is not
equipped with a synchronizer and therefore the front and
rear driveshaft speeds must be equal for the shift to take
place. Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are
spinning can cause damage to the transfer case.
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 275

Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the
transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
WARNING!You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle. For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2WD
Rear Wheel Drive High Range - This range is for normal
street and highway driving on dry, hard surfaced roads.
4WD LOCK
Four-Wheel Drive Lock Range - This range locks the front
and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. This range provides
additional traction for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
4WD LOW
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range - This range provides low
speed four-wheel drive. It locks the front and rear
driveshafts together forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. This range provides additional
traction and maximum pulling power for loose, slippery
road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 281

Care should be taken to avoid sudden accelerations when
both rear wheels are on a slippery surface. This could
cause both rear wheels to spin, and allow the vehicle to
slide sideways on the crowned surface of a road or in a
turn.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy. 2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the car in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few inches/
centimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure
safety and prevent damage to your vehicle.
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 285

WARNING! (Continued)• The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering
efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition
of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded.
• The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing.
• The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others. TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
1 — U.S. DOT Safety Stan-
dards Code (TIN) 4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pressure
3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction and
Temperature Grades294 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
• P (Passenger) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H.
• European-Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letter  P  is absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H. • LT (Light Truck) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
• Temporary spare tires are high-pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter “T”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
• High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 295