2013 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................342
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .342
▫ Automatic Transmission ................342
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go™ ..................343
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .343
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C) ................345
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................345
▫ After Starting ....................... .346
 STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ......346▫
Automatic Mode ..................... .346
▫ Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not AUTO
STOP............................. .347
▫
To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode . . .348
▫ To Manually Turn Off The Start Stop System . .349
▫ To Manually Turn On The Start Stop System . .350
▫ System Malfunction ....................350
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .351
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............352
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............353
5

▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .354
▫ Eight–Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .354
▫ Six–Speed Automatic Transmission If Equipped —
1500 Models Only .....................361
▫ Six–Speed Automatic Transmission (5.7L Engine)
— 2500/3500 Models Only ..............373
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .384
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case –
If Equipped ......................... .384
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) – If Equipped ..................388
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) – If Equipped ..................394 ▫
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) – If Equipped ..................398
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED . .406
▫ Description ......................... .406
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................410
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................411
▫ Operation .......................... .412
 AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM (2500 MODELS ONLY) —
IF EQUIPPED ......................... .413
 STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER
WAGON ONLY ....................... .416
 SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER WAGON
ONLY.............................. .418
336 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics ...................... .418
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........421
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) ............................ .422
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... .425
▫ Driving Through Water .................428
▫ Airing Down For Off-Road Driving .........430
▫ Vehicle Recovery ..................... .431
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................440
 LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL .............436
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........437
▫ Acceleration ........................ .437
▫ Traction ........................... .437
DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............438
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................438
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................438
 OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ...............440
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................440
 WINCH USAGE (POWER WAGON ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .442
▫ Things To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . .442
▫ Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . .444
▫ Winch Accessories ....................446
▫ Operating Your Winch ..................447
▫ Rigging Techniques ....................461
 POWER STEERING .....................463
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 337

FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L ENGINE ONLY
– IF EQUIPPED ....................... .464
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .464
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .467
▫ 3500 Dual Rear Wheel Models Only ........467
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .467
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............467
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) – If Equipped . .468
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) – If Equipped . . . .469
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped ........469
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) –
If Equipped ........................ .473
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................477 ▫
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) – If Equipped . . . .478
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............479
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .479
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........483
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........484
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........485
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION .........490
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .490
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................491
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .493
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .493
▫ All Season Tires – If Equipped ............493
▫ Summer Or Three Season Tires – If Equipped. .494
338 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Snow Tires ......................... .494
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And
Wheel – If Equipped ...................495
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped .........495
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped .............496
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ..........496
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .497
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................497
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .498
▫ Replacement Tires .....................499
 SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .500
 TIRE CHAINS ........................ .501
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....503▫
Directional Tires – If Equipped ............504
▫ Dual Rear Wheels – If Equipped ..........504
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .505
▫ Base System ........................ .508
▫ Premium System – If Equipped ............510
▫ Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Tire Light
Load Inflation Switch Description (2500 Models) –
If Equipped ......................... .514
▫ General Information ...................518
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................518
▫ 3.6L And 4.7L Engine ...................518
▫ 5.7L Engine ......................... .519
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................519
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............520
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 339

▫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

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt.
The starter should not be operated for more than 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children in a
vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the shift
lever. Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle,
or in a location accessible to children, and do not
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
leave a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go™
(if equipped) in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key fob to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the key fob to the OFF position, wait five
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting into any
driving range.
342 STARTING AND OPERATING