2012 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab steering

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Steering Wheel Lock — If Equipped .......... 8
▫ To Manually Lock The Steering Wheel ....... 8
▫ To Release The Steering Wheel Lock ......... 8
Remote Starting System — If Equipped ........ 8
▫ How To Use Remote Start ................ 9
 Engine Break-In Recommendations .......... 12
2

STEERING WHEEL LOCK — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passive steering
wheel lock. This lock prevents steering the vehicle with-
out the key fob. If the steering wheel is moved approxi-
mately a half turn in either direction and the key fob is
not in the ignition switch, the steering wheel will lock.
To Manually Lock The Steering Wheel
With the engine running, turn the steering wheel upside
down, turn off the engine and remove the key fob. Turn
the steering wheel slightly in either direction until the
lock engages.
To Release The Steering Wheel Lock
Insert the key fob into the ignition switch and start the
engine. If the key fob is difficult to turn, move the wheel
slightly to the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right to disengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
This system uses the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter to start the engine conve-
niently from outside the vehicle while still
maintaining security. The system has a range of
approximately 328 ft (100 m).
NOTE:
•The vehicle must be equipped with an automatic
transmission to be equipped with Remote Start.
•The remote start system will wait for the “Wait To Start
Light” to extinguish before cranking the engine. This
allows time for the intake heater to pre-heat the
incoming air, and is normal operation in cold weather.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center/EVIC
8 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Exit Remote Start Mode Without Driving The
Vehicle
Press and release the REMOTE START button one time or
allow the engine to run for the entire 15-minute cycle.
NOTE:To avoid unintentional shut downs, the system
will disable the one time press of the REMOTE START
button for two seconds after receiving a valid Remote
Start request.
To Exit Remote Start Mode And Drive The Vehicle
Before the end of the 15-minute cycle, press and release
the UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter to unlock
the doors and disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm System
(if equipped). Insert the Key Fob into the ignition switch
and turn the switch to the ON/RUN position.
NOTE:
•The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position
in order to drive the vehicle.
•For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the message “Insert Key/
Turn To On” will flash in the EVIC until you insert the
Key Fob into the ignition swich. Once inserted, the
message “Turn To On” will flash in the EVIC until you
turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position.
Remote Start Comfort Systems – If Equipped
When remote start is activated, the heated steering
wheel, and driver heated seat features will automatically
turn on in cold weather. In warm weather, the driver
vented seat feature will automatically turn on when the
remote start is activated. These features will stay on
through the duration of remote start or until the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
The Remote Start Comfort System can be activated and
deactivated through the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC). For more information on Remote Start
Comfort System operation refer to “Electronic Vehicle
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11

26. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator
Light — If EquippedThis light indicates the Electronic Stability Con-
trol (ESC) is off.
ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC)
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display that is located in the
instrument cluster.
NOTE:The compass on your vehicle is self-calibrating,
eliminating the need to manually calibrate the compass.
This system conveniently allows the driver to select a
variety of useful information by pressing the switches
mounted on the steering wheel.
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 25

Six-Speed Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
(Ram Truck Only)
The shift lever position display (located in the instrument
panel cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. The
shift lever is mounted on the right side of the steering
column. You must press the brake pedal to move the shift
lever out of the PARK position (refer to “Brake/
Transmission Shift Interlock System” in this section). 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.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).Shifting from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE should be
done only after the accelerator pedal is released and the
vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake
pedal when moving the shift lever between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has only Park, Reverse,
Neutral, and Drive shift positions. Manual downshifts
can be made using the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift
control (described later). Pressing the ERS (-/+) buttons
while in the DRIVE position will select the highest
available transmission gear, and will display that gear in
the instrument cluster as 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
54 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage, and the
transmission will not shift to sixth gear, until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu-
ally after 1 to 3 miles (1.6 to 4.8 km) of driving].
Because sixth gear is disabled, and engine speed is
higher when the torque converter clutch is not en-
gaged, it may seem as if the transmission is not
shifting properly when cold. This is normal. Using the
Electronic Range Select (ERS) feature, when the trans-
mission is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the
transmission is able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
•If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque converter
will refill within five seconds after starting the engine.
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
(Chassis Cab Only)
The shift lever position display (located in the instrument
panel cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. The
shift lever is mounted on the right side of the steering
column. You must press the brake pedal to move the shift
lever out of the PARK position (refer to “Brake/
Transmission Shift Interlock System” in this section). 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.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
64 STARTING AND OPERATING

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
maintenance schedule, there are other components which
may require servicing or replacement in the future.
CAUTION!
•Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or per-
form repairs and service when necessary could
result in more costly repairs, damage to other
components or negatively impact vehicle perfor-
mance. Immediately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized Chrysler Group LLC
dealership or qualified repair center.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals. The best time to check
the oil level is before starting the engine after it has been
100 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

97,500 Miles (157,000 km) or 78 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
❏When prompted by the Engine Oil Indicator System, the engine oil and filter must be
changed. If not prompted by the Engine Oil Indicator System within 7,500 miles
(12 000 km) or six months since the last oil and filter change, change the engine oil and
engine oil filter.
❏ Check the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) tank, refill if necessary (Chassis Cab Only).
❏ Flush and replace engine coolant.
❏ Rotate tires.
❏ Lubricate front drive shaft fitting (4x4).
❏ Lubricate outer tie rod ends.
❏ Flush and replace power steering fluid (3500 Ram Truck Only).
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order #Dealer Code
Signature, Authorized Service Center
7
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 153