2013 Ram 1500 towing

and power outlets will remain active for up to 10 minutes
after the ignition switch is turned OFF. Opening either
front vehicle door will cancel this feature. To make your
selection, scroll up or down until the preferred setting is
highlighted, then press and release the SELECT button
until a check-mark appears next to the setting, showing
that the setting has been selected.
Air Suspension Display Alerts – If Equipped
When All is selected, all the Air Suspension Alerts will be
displayed. When Warnings Only is selected only the Air
Suspension Warnings will be displayed. To make your
selection, scroll up or down until the preferred setting is
highlighted, then press and release the SELECT button
until a check-mark appears next to the setting, showing
that the setting has been selected.
Aero Ride Height Mode (1500 Only) – If Equipped
When this feature is selected the Ride Height will auto-
matically be adjusted depending on the vehicle speed. Tomake your selection, press and release the SELECT
button until a check-mark appears next to the feature
showing the system has been activated or the check-mark
is removed showing the system has been deactivated.
Tire/Jack Mode – If Equipped
When this feature is selected the air suspension system is
disabled to assist with changing a spare tire. To make
your selection, press and release the SELECT button until
a check-mark appears next to the feature showing the
system has been activated or the check-mark is removed
showing the system has been deactivated.
Transport Mode – If Equipped
When this feature is selected the air suspension system is
disabled to assist with flat bed towing. To make your
selection, press and release the SELECT button until a
check-mark appears next to the feature showing the
system has been activated or the check-mark is removed
showing the system has been deactivated.
292 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Flash Lights with Remote Lower
When this feature is selected, the front and rear turn
signals will flash when the RKE transmitter REMOTE
LOWER button is pressed twice. This feature may be
selected with or without the sound horn on lower feature
selected. Touch the box next to your selection and a
check-mark appears next to the feature showing the
system has been activated or the check-mark is removed
showing the system has been deactivated.
• Suspension Display Messages
When All is selected, all the Air Suspension Alerts will be
displayed. When Warnings Only is selected only the Air
Suspension Warnings will be displayed.
• Automatic Aero Mode
When this feature is selected the Ride Height will auto-
matically be adjusted depending on the vehicle speed.
Touch the box next to your selection and a check-mark appears next to the feature showing the system has been
activated or the check-mark is removed showing the
system has been deactivated.
•
Tire Jack Mode
When this feature is selected the air suspension system is
disabled to assist with changing a spare tire. Touch the
box next to your selection and a check-mark appears next
to the feature showing the system has been activated or
the check-mark is removed showing the system has been
deactivated.
• Transport Mode
When this feature is selected the air suspension system is
disabled to assist with flat bed towing. Touch the box
next to your selection and a check-mark appears next to
the feature showing the system has been activated or the
check-mark is removed showing the system has been
deactivated.
310 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......520
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................521
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................521
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................521
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............522
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (4.7L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .523
▫ E-85 General Information ...............523
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................524
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................524
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .............525
▫ Starting ........................... .525
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .526▫
Replacement Parts ....................526
▫ Maintenance ....................... .526
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .527
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............528
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................529
▫ Certification Label ....................529
 TRAILER TOWING .....................531
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............531
▫ Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer
Weight ............................ .536
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... .537
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............541
▫ Towing Requirements ..................542
340 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Towing Tips ........................ .552
 SNOWPLOW ........................ .553
▫ 1500 Models Only .....................553
▫ 2500/3500 Models Only .................554
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................557 ▫
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .557
▫ Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .559
▫ Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .560
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 341

CAUTION!
•DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this
can damage the drivetrain.
•
Before moving the shift lever out of PARK, you must
start the engine, and also press the brake pedal.
Otherwise, damage to the shift lever could result.
The following indicator should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission into the PARK posi-
tion:
• With brake pedal released, look at the transmission
gear position display and verify that it indicates the
PARK position.
REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine may be
started in this range. Apply the parking brake and shift
the transmission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 359

CAUTION!(Continued)
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) switches (refer to Electronic Range Select(ERS) Operation
in this section) to select a lower gear
range. Under these conditions, using a lower gear range
will improve performance and extend transmission life
by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
During extremely cold temperatures (-22°F [-30°C] or
below), transmission operation may be modified depend-
ing on engine and transmission temperature as well as
vehicle speed. Normal operation will resume once the
transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission may
operate only in certain gears, or may not shift at all.
Vehicle performance may be severely degraded and the
engine may stall. In some situations, the transmission
may not re-engage if the engine is turned off and
360 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
When to Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW/HAUL switch to activate TOW/
HAUL mode. This will improve performance and reduce
the potential for transmission overheating or failure due
to excessive shifting.The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/HAUL mode
has been activated. Pressing the switch a second time
restores normal operation. Normal operation is always
TOW/HAUL Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 363

•Release the shift lever and make sure it is fully seated
in the PARK gate.
• Look at the shift lever position display and verify that
it indicates the PARK position.
• With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever
will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Use this
range only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine may be
started in this range. Apply the parking brake and shift
the transmission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle.WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
368 STARTING AND OPERATING