2013 Ram 1500 Schedule

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1
INTRODUCTION .............................................................3
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE .............................9
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE ............................125
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL ..................................253
5
STARTING AND OPERATING .................................................335
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES ..............................................569
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE ...............................................627
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES .................................................695
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE ........................................703
10
INDEX ....................................................................713
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seconds and then returns to the previous screen. An
example of this message type is “Automatic High Beams
On”.
Engine Oil Change Indicator System
Oil Change Required
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Oil Change Required” message
will flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10
seconds after a single chime has sounded, to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate, dependent
upon your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position or cycle the ignition to the ON/RUN position if
equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go™. To turn off themessage temporarily, press and release the MENU but-
ton. To reset the oil change indicator system (after
performing the scheduled maintenance) refer to the fol-
lowing procedure.
Vehicles Equipped With Keyless Enter-N-Go™
1. Without pressing the brake pedal, press the ENGINE
START/STOP button and cycle the ignition to the
ON/ RUN position (Do not start the engine.)
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal, slowly, three times within 10 seconds.
3. Without pressing the brake pedal, press the ENGINE START/STOP button once to return the ignition to the
OFF/LOCK position.
Vehicles Not Equipped With Keyless Enter-N-Go™
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position (Do not start the engine.)
272 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

In 8-speed vehicles, the brake pedal must also be pressed
to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when
the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds.
Eight–Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped
Your vehicle is equipped with a state of the art, fuel
efficient eight-speed transmission. The electronic shifter
control is located on the instrument panel. The transmis-
sion gear (PRND) is displayed both above the shifter
control and in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC). To select a gear range, simply rotate the shifter
control. You must press the brake pedal to shift the
transmission out of PARK (see Brake/Transmission Shift
Interlock System). You must also press the brake pedal to
shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE, when the
vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds. To shift past
multiple gear ranges at once (such as Park to Drive),simply rotate the shifter control to the appropriate detent.
Select the DRIVE range for normal driving.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shifter control has only PARK, RE-
VERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) switches (described later in this section). Pressing
the GEAR-/GEAR+ switches (on the steering wheel)
while in the DRIVE position will select the highest
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 355

the default at engine start-up. If TOW/HAUL mode is
desired, the switch must be pressed each time the engine
is started.
Six–Speed Automatic Transmission If Equipped
— 1500 Models Only
The shift lever position display (located in the instrument
cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. The shift
lever is mounted either on the right side of the steering
column (if equipped) or on the console (if equipped). You
must press the brake pedal to move the shift lever out of
PARK (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock Sys-
tem” in this section). To drive, move the shift lever from
PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position. Pull the shift
lever toward you when shifting into REVERSE or PARK,
or when shifting out of PARK (column shift only).
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a newvehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation” in this section). Pressing the ERS (-/+)
switches (column shift) or moving the shift lever to the
left or right (-/+) (console shift) while in the DRIVE
position will select the highest available transmission
gear, and will display that gear in the instrument cluster
as 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
364 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 underdrive first and sec-
ond gears, direct third gear and overdrive fourth and
fifth gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
To access all six available gears, you must use the
Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control, described
below.
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) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range
Select (ERS) Operation)” in this section) to select a lower
gear range. Under these conditions, using a lower gearrange will improve performance and extend transmission
life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operat-
ing limits, the powertrain controller will modify the
transmission shift schedule and expand the range of
torque converter clutch engagement. This is done to
prevent transmission damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot or is in danger
of overheating, the “Transmission Temperature Warning
Light” may illuminate and the transmission may operate
differently until the transmission cools down.
NOTE:
Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle at low speeds (such as towing a trailer up a steep
grade, or in stop-and-go traffic) during hot weather. In
these conditions, torque converter slip can impose a
significant additional heat load on the cooling system.
Downshifting the transmission to the lowest possible
gear (when climbing a grade), or shifting to NEUTRAL
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 369

cause damage to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds after starting the
engine.
Six–Speed Automatic Transmission (5.7L Engine)
— 2500/3500 Models Only
The shift lever position display (located in the instrument
cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. The shift
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must press the brake pedal to move the shift lever
out of PARK (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift Inter-
lock System” in this section). To drive, move the shift
lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
Pull the shift lever toward you when shifting into RE-
VERSE or PARK, or when shifting out of PARK.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a newvehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation” in this section). Pressing the ERS (-/+)
switches (on the shift lever) while in the DRIVE position
will select the highest available transmission gear, and
will display that gear in the instrument cluster as 6, 5, 4,
3, 2, 1.
376 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 underdrive first, second,
and third gears, direct fourth gear and overdrive fifth and
sixth gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics 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) shift control (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.If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operat-
ing limits, the powertrain controller will modify the
transmission shift schedule and expand the range of
torque converter clutch engagement. This is done to
prevent transmission damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot or is in danger
of overheating, the “Transmission Temperature Warning
Light” may illuminate and the transmission may operate
differently until the transmission cools down.
NOTE:
Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle at low speeds (such as towing a trailer up a steep
grade, or in stop-and-go traffic) during hot weather. In
these conditions, torque converter slip can impose a
significant additional heat load on the cooling system.
Downshifting the transmission to the lowest possible
gear (when climbing a grade), or shifting to NEUTRAL
(when stopped in heavy traffic) can help to reduce this
excess heat generation.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 381

These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes 1/16 in (2 mm). When the tread is worn to the
tread wear indicators, the tire should be replaced.
Life Of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including, but not limited to:
•Driving style
• Tire pressure
• Distance driven
• Performance tires, tires with a speed rating of V or
higher, and summer tires typically have a reduced
tread life. Rotation of these tires per the vehicle main-
tenance schedule is highly recommended.
WARNING!
Tires and the spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure.
(Continued)
1—WornTire
2—NewTire
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 501