2012 RAM CHASSIS CAB four wheel drive

CAUTION!Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“H” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “H” and you hear continuous chimes,
turn the engine off immediately and call an autho-
rized dealership for service. WARNING!A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see “Main-
taining Your Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the
Cooling System Pressure Cap paragraph.
5. Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in miles per
hour and/or kilometers per hour (mph/km/h).
6. 4 LOW
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive LOW mode. The front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to190 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

rotate at the same speed. Low range provides a greater
gear reduction ratio to provide increased torque at the
wheels.
7. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. The
light will come on when the ignition is first
turned to ON/RUN and remain on briefly as a
bulb check. If the light does not come on during starting,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
If a problem is detected, the light will come on while the
engine is running. Cycle the ignition key when the
vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever is
placed in the PARK position, the light should turn off.
If the light remains lit with the engine running, your
vehicle will usually be drivable; however, see an autho-
rized dealer for service as soon as possible. If the light is
flashing when the engine is running, immediate service is required and you may experience reduced performance,
an elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle
may require towing.
For vehicles equipped with a premium cluster this indi-
cator will display in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC). Refer to ”Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) — If Equipped” for further information.
8. 4WD Indicator
This light indicates the vehicle is in four-wheel
drive and 4LOCK. 4WD allows all four wheels
to receive torque from the engine simultane-
ously.
9. SVC (Service) 4WD
The SVC 4WD light monitors the electric shift
four-wheel drive system. If the SVC 4WD light
stays on or comes on during driving, it means
that the four-wheel drive system is not func-
tioning properly and that service is required. 4 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 191

• Service Four Wheel Drive System
• Adjustable pedals unavail.
• Cruise engaged
• Adjustable pedals unavail. Veh. in reverse
• Clean Park Assist sensors
• Front Park Assist Not available - Blinded
• Rear Park Assist Not available - Blinded
• Low Fuel
• Personal Settings Not Available — Vehicle Not in Park
• Service blind spot system
• Exhaust filter full – Power reduced See Dealer -
Exhaust Filter 99% Ful l---
• Blind spot system off • Blind spot detection unavailable
• Automatic High Beams on
• Automatic High Beams off
• Service Keyless System
• Clearing channels
• Channels cleared
• Channels defaulted
• Channel X transmitting
• Channel X training
• Channel X trained
• Did not train
• Oil temp high Speed may be limited
• Remote start aborted — Door ajar206 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATINGCONTENTS  Starting Procedures .................... 273
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 273
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 273
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or  29°C) ............... 274
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 274
▫ After Starting ....................... 275
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 275
 Automatic Transmission ................. 276
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 278 ▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 278
▫ Six–Speed Automatic Transmission
(5.7L Engine) — If Equipped ............ 278
 Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped . . 288
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case – If
Equipped .......................... 288
▫ Shifting Procedure – Manually Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... 290
▫ Transfer Case Position Indicator Light ...... 291
5

 Trailer Towing ........................ 344
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 344
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 347
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 348
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 349
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 351
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 360
 Snowplow .......................... 361
▫ Before Plowing ...................... 362
▫ Snowplow Prep Package Model
Availability ......................... 362 ▫ Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached .......................... 363
▫ Operating Tips ...................... 363
▫ General Maintenance .................. 364
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 365
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind
Another Vehicle ..................... 365
▫ Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 366
▫ Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 367272 STARTING AND OPERATING

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED
Four-wheel drive trucks are equipped with either a
manually shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted
transfer case. Refer to the operating instructions for your
transfer case, located in this section for further informa-
tion.
Manually Shifted Transfer Case – If Equipped
The transfer case provides four mode positions.
• Two-wheel drive high range (2H)
• Four-wheel drive high range (4H)
• Neutral (N)
• 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.288 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 drivetrain.
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.
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. NOTE: Delayed shifts out of four-wheel drive may be
experienced due to uneven tire wear, low or uneven tire
pressures, excessive vehicle loading, or cold tempera-
tures.
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.
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 289

For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2H
Rear-Wheel Drive High Range - This range is for normal
street and highway driving on dry hard surfaced roads.
4H
Four-Wheel Drive High Range - This range locks the
front and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and
rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional
traction for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
N
Neutral - This range disengages the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat
towing behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information. 4L
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range - This range locks the front
and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction
and maximum pulling power for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Shifting Procedure – Manually Shifted Transfer
Case
2H ⇔ 4H
Shifting between 2H and 4H can be made with the
vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle is in motion,
shifts can be made up to 55 mph (88 km/h). With the
vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage/
disengage faster if you momentarily release the accelera-
tor pedal after completing the shift. Apply a constant
force when shifting the transfer case lever.290 STARTING AND OPERATING