2012 Ram Cargo Van brake

•Damaged Key
•Key not programmed
•Vehicle Not in Park
•Press Brake Pedal and Push Button to Start
•Door(s) Ajar (with a single chime, if vehicle is in
motion)
•Liftgate Ajar (chime will sound when vehicle starts
moving)
•Low Tire Pressure
•Service TPM System (refer to “Tire Pressure Monitor-
ing System” in “Starting And Operating”)
•Premium TPM Service Graphic Display
•Turn Signal On
•RKE Battery Low
•LOW WASHER FLUID
•Oil Change Required
•Left Front Turn Signal Light Out
•Left Rear Turn Signal Light Out
•Right Front Turn Signal Light Out
•Right Rear Turn Signal Light Out
•Park Assist Disabled
•Service Park Assist System
•Personal Settings Not Available — Vehicle Not In Park
•Blind Spot System Off — This message is displayed
when the ignition is turned to ON to indicate the Blind
Spot System has been turned off.
304 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Viewing a DVD on the Touch-Screen radio screen is
not available in all states/provinces, and the vehicle
must be stopped, and the shift lever must be in the
PARK position for vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion. In vehicles with manual transmission the parking
brake must be engaged.
•Touching the screen on a Touch-Screen radio while a
DVD is playing brings up basic remote control func-
tions for DVD play such as scene selection, Play,
Pause, FF, RW, and Stop. Pressing the X in the upper
corner will turn off the remote control screen
functions.
Play A DVD Using The VES™ Player (If Equipped)
1. Insert the DVD with the label facing up. The VES™
player automatically selects the appropriate mode after
the disc is recognized and starts playing the DVD.
NOTE:The VES™ player has basic DVD control func-
tion such as Menu, Play, Pause, FF, RW and Stop
2. To watch a DVD on Screen 1 for second row passen-
gers, ensure the Remote Control and Headphone switch
is on Channel 1.
3. To watch a DVD on Screen 2 for third row passengers,
ensure the Remote Control and Headphone switch is on
Channel 2.
362 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Viewing a DVD on the Touch-Screen radio screen is
not available in all states/provinces, and the vehicle
must be stopped, and the shift lever must be in the
PARK position for vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion. In vehicles with manual transmission the parking
brake must be engaged.
Listen To An Audio Source While A Video Is
Playing
Ensure the Remote Control and Headphone switch are on
the same channel. If watching a video on Screen 1
(second row), then Channel 2 could be used for audio. If
watching a video on Screen 2 (third row), then Channel 1
could be used for audio.
Using The Remote Control
1. Press the MODE button on the Remote Control and
either the Mode Select Screen will display or a small
banner will appear at the bottom of the screen.2. To listen to an audio source on Channel 1 or 2, either
press Up/Down/Left/Right on the Remote Control to
highlight the desired audio source or press the MODE
button repeatedly until the desired audio source appears
on the screen.
Select FM Mode On The VES screen
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 365

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 419
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 419
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 419
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or –29°C) ................ 420
▫ If The Engine Fails To Start ............. 420
▫ After Starting ....................... 422
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 422
Automatic Transmission ................. 422
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 424
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 424
▫ Fuel Economy (Econ) Mode ............. 425
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission ........ 426
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 427
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 434
▫ Acceleration ........................ 434
▫ Traction ........................... 435
5

Driving Through Water ................. 435
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 435
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 436
 Power Steering ....................... 437
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 438
 Parking Brake ........................ 439
 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............ 441
▫ Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light .......... 443
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 443
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 443
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 444
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 445
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 449 
Tire Safety Information ................. 452
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 452
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 455
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 456
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 457
 Tires — General Information ............. 461
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 461
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 462
▫ Tire Pressures For High-Speed Operation . . . 463
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 464
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 464
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 465
416 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A
child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Press the brake
pedal before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
1. Do not press the accelerator.
2. Use the Fob with Integrated Key to briefly turn the
ignition switch to the START position and release it as
soon as the starter engages. The starter motor will
continue to run, and it will disengage automatically
when the engine is running.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 419

3. If the engine fails to start, the starter will disengage
automatically in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds,
then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure (Steps 1–3
above).
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
pressed to shift out of PARK.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F or –29°C)
Follow the same instructions in the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If The Engine Fails To Start
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.(Continued)
420 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Do not move the shift lever between PARK, RE-
VERSE, NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is
above idle speed.
•Before moving the shift lever into any gear, make
sure your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
NOTE: You must press and hold the brake pedal down
while shifting out of PARK.
WARNING!
•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 pressing 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 pressing the brake pedal.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 423