2012 RAM CHASSIS CAB Owners Manual

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
9 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 479

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law. WARNING!The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.480 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

INDEX
10

Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 418
Adding Fuel ........................... 340
Adjustable Pedals ....................... 158
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 408
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 411
Air Conditioning ........................ 256
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 256
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ............. 41 1,412
Air Conditioning System ............. 256,260,411
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 267
Air Pressure, Tires .................... 319,330
Airbag ................................ 52
Airbag Deployment ....................... 60
Airbag Light ..................... 58,62,79,200
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 61
Airbag, Side ............................ 57
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ............... 57
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 19
Alarm Light ........................... 192 Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 19
Alarm, Panic ............................ 24
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 243
Anti-Lock Warning Light ............... 200,308
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 19
Anti-Theft System ........................ 19
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................ 418
Capacities .......................... 449
Disposal ........................... 420
Appearance Care ........................ 430
Ashtray ............................... 169
Assistance Towing ....................... 107
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 35
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 87
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 32
Automatic Headlights .................... 148
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 260482 INDEX

Automatic Transmission
Adding Fluid ....................... 429
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 430
Fluid Level Check ................. 427,428
Fluid Type ...................... 427,451
Shifting ........................... 278
Special Additives ..................... 428
Axle Fluid ....................... 425,426,451
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid) ............ 425,426
B-Pillar Location ........................ 314
Battery ............................... 409
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 25
Saving Feature (Protection) .............. 152
Belts, Seat ............................ 39,79
Body Builders Guide ....................... 6
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 412
Brake Fluid ......................... 423,451 Brake System ........................ 306,423
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 307
Fluid Check ........................ 423
Master Cylinder ..................... 423
Parking ........................... 304
Warning Light ....................... 197
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 278
Bulb Replacement ....................... 443
Bulbs, Light .......................... 81,442
Cab Top Clearance Lights .................. 447
Calibration, Compass ..................... 215
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 449
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 449
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine) ........................ 407
Power Steering ...................... 303
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 419
Car Washes ............................ 431
10 INDEX 483

Carbon Monoxide Warning ............... 78,339
Cargo Light ............................ 152
Cellular Phone ........................ 93,255
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 445
Center Lap Belts ......................... 48
Center Seat Storage Compartment ............ 176
Certification Label ....................... 342
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 310
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............. 199,403
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 77
Checks, Safety ........................... 77
Child Restraint ........................ 64,65
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............. 68,73
Child Seat .............................. 70
Cigar Lighter ........................... 169
Cleaning
Wheels ............................ 432
Climate Control ......................... 256 Clock ............................. 223,232
Cold Weather Operation ................... 274
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 255
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 325
Compass .............................. 214
Compass Calibration ..................... 215
Compass Variance ....................... 215
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 212
Connector
UCI .............................. 246
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 246
Console, Overhead ....................... 163
Contract, Service ........................ 475
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 419
Cooling System ......................... 417
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 418
Coolant Capacity ..................... 449
Coolant Level .................... 417,420
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 420484 INDEX

Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 417
Inspection .......................... 420
Points to Remember .................. 422
Pressure Cap ........................ 419
Radiator Cap ....................... 419
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....... 418,450
Cupholders ............................ 172
Customer Assistance ..................... 473
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 63
Daytime Running Lights ................... 153
Dealer Service .......................... 405
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 180
Defroster, Windshield ................ 80,258,264
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 155
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 298
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission ................ 428
Power Steering ...................... 303 Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 395
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 420
Door Locks ............................. 30
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 32
Driving
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 300
Dual Rear Wheels ..................... 334,384
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 180
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 165
Electronic Range Select (ERS) ............... 284
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 160
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 203
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case ........... 292
Emergency Brake ........................ 304
10 INDEX 485

Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............. 392
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 376
Jump Starting ....................... 388
Tow Hooks ......................... 393
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 403
Engine ............................... 401
Air Cleaner ......................... 408
Block Heater ........................ 275
Break-In Recommendations .............. 77
Compartment Identification ............. 401
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................. 450
Exhaust Gas Caution ................ 78,339
Flooded, Starting ..................... 274
Jump Starting ....................... 388
Oil ............................ 406,450
Oil Filler Cap ....................... 407
Oil Selection ........................ 407
Oil Synthetic ........................ 408 Temperature Gauge ................... 189
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 59
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Event Data Recorder ...................... 63
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 78,339
Exhaust System ....................... 78,414
Exterior Lighting ........................ 148
Exterior Lights .......................... 81
Filters
Air Cleaner ......................... 408
Engine Fuel ........................ 450
Engine Oil ....................... 408,450
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 408
Flashers
Turn Signal .................... 81,153,189
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ 388
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 274
Fluid Capacities ......................... 449486 INDEX