2013 Ram 2500 ECO mode

Recirculation Control
Press this button to choose between outside air
intake or recirculation of the air inside the
vehicle. A LED will illuminate when you are in
Recirculation mode. Only use the Recirculation
mode to temporarily block out any outside odors, smoke,
or dust, and to cool the interior rapidly upon initial
start-up in very hot or humid weather.
NOTE:
• If the RECIRCULATION button is pressed when the
system is in Defrost mode the Recirculation LED
indicator will flash three times and then turn off to
indicate Recirculation mode is not allowed.
• Continuous use of the Recirculation mode may make
the inside air stuffy and window fogging may occur.
Extended use of this mode is not recommended. •
In cold or damp weather, the use of the Recirculation
mode will cause windows to fog on the inside because
of moisture buildup inside the vehicle. For maximum
defogging, select the outside air position.
• The A/C can be deselected manually without disturb-
ing the mode control selection by pressing the A/C
button.
Air Outlets
The airflow from each of the instrument panel outlets can
be adjusted for direction, and turned on or off to control
airflow.
NOTE: For maximum airflow to the rear, the center
instrument panel outlets can be directed toward the rear
seat passengers.
318 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Economy Mode
If ECONOMY mode is desired, press the A/C button to
turn off the LED indicator and the A/C compressor.
Rotate the temperature control knob to the desired tem-
perature. Also, make sure to select only Panel, Bi-Level or
Floor modes.
Stop/Start System – If Equipped
While in an Autostop, the Climate Controls system may
automatically adjust airflow to maintain cabin comfort.
Customer settings will be maintained upon return to an
engine running condition.
Manual Climate Controls With Touch-Screen — If
Equipped
Hard-Keys
The hard-keys are located below the radio touch-screen.
Climate Controls — Hard-keys
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 319

5. Modes
The airflow distribution mode can be adjusted so air
comes from the instrument panel outlets, floor outlets,
demister outlets and defrost outlets. The Mode settings
are as follows:•Panel Mode
Air comes from the outlets in the instrument
panel. Each of these outlets can be individually
adjusted to direct the flow of air. The air vanes of
the center outlets and outboard outlets can be moved up
and down or side to side to regulate airflow direction.
There is a shut off wheel located below the air vanes to
shut off or adjust the amount of airflow from these
outlets.
•Bi-Level Mode
Air comes from the instrument panel outlets and
floor outlets. A slight amount of air is directed
through the defrost and side window demister
outlets. NOTE:
BI-LEVEL mode is designed under comfort con-
ditions to provide cooler air out of the panel outlets and
warmer air from the floor outlets.
•Floor Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets. A slight amount
of air is directed through the defrost and side
window demister outlets.
• Mix Mode
Air comes from the floor, defrost and side window
demister outlets. This mode works best in cold or
snowy conditions.
NOTE: The air conditioning compressor operates in MIX
and DEFROST modes even if the A/C button is not
pressed. This dehumidifies the air to help dry the wind-
shield. To improve fuel economy, utilize these modes
only when required.
322 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

pressing the RECIRCULATION control button. Recircu-
lation mode should only be used temporarily. The recir-
culation LED will illuminate on the blower control knob
when this button is selected. Push the button a second
time to turn off the Recirculation mode LED and allow
outside air into the vehicle.
NOTE:In cold weather, use of Recirculation mode may
lead to excessive window fogging. The Recirculation
mode is not allowed in Defrost mode to improve window
clearing operation. Recirculation will be disabled auto-
matically if these modes are selected.Automatic Climate Controls With Touch-Screen
— If Equipped
Hard-Keys
The hard-keys located below the radio touch-screen.
Dual Zone Automatic Climate Controls — Hard-keys
324 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•The temperature can be displayed in U.S. or Metric
units by selecting the US/M customer-programmable
feature. Refer to the “Uconnect® System Settings” in
this section of the manual.
To provide you with maximum comfort in the Automatic
mode, during cold start-ups the blower fan will remain
on low until the engine warms up. The blower will
increase in speed and transition into Auto mode.
Recirculation Control
When outside air contains smoke, odors, or
high humidity, or if rapid cooling is desired,
you may wish to recirculate interior air by
pressing the RECIRCULATION control button.
Recirculation mode should only be used temporarily. The
recirculation LED will illuminate on the soft and hard
keys when either button is selected. Push either soft or hard key a second time to turn off the Recirculation mode
LED and allow outside air into the vehicle.
NOTE:
In cold weather, use of Recirculation mode may
lead to excessive window fogging. The recirculation
feature may be unavailable (soft-key button greyed out)
if conditions exist that could create fogging on the inside
of the windshield. On systems with Manual Climate
Controls, the recirculation mode is not allowed in Defrost
mode to improve window clearing operation. Recircula-
tion will be disabled automatically if this mode is se-
lected. Attempting to use Recirculation while in this
mode will cause the LED in the control button to blink
and then turn off.
330 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corro-
sion protection and to protect against engine overheating.
A solution of 50% ethylene glycol antifreeze coolant and
50% water is recommended. Refer to “Maintenance Pro-
cedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper cool-
ant selection.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper
coolant selection. Use of the air Recirculation mode
during Winter months is not recommended because it
may cause window fogging.
Vacation/Storage
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in
fresh air with the blower setting in high. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging and Frosting
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside of the glass in
mild, rainy and/or humid weather. Windows may frost
on the inside of the glass in very cold weather. To clear
the windows, select Defrost or Mix mode and increase
the front blower speed. Do not use the Recirculation
mode without A/C for long periods, as fogging may
occur.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 331

▫Tire Inflation Pressures .................499
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .501
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .501
▫ All Season Tires – If Equipped ............501
▫ Summer Or Three Season Tires – If Equipped. .502
▫ Snow Tires ......................... .502
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And
Wheel – If Equipped ...................503
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped .........503
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped .............504
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ..........504
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .505
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................505 ▫
Life Of Tire ........................ .506
▫ Replacement Tires .....................507
 SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .508
 TIRE CHAINS ........................ .509
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....511
▫ Directional Tires – If Equipped ............512
▫ Dual Rear Wheels – If Equipped ..........512
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .513
▫ Base System ........................ .516
▫ Premium System – If Equipped ............518
▫ Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Tire Light
Load Inflation Switch Description (2500 Models) –
If Equipped ......................... .521
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 339

WARNING!(Continued)
•If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” for further information.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the igni-
tion button/key is released. If this occurs, continue
cranking with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to
the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the ignition
button/key once the engine is running smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Stop/Start function is developed to save fuel and
reduce emissions. The system will stop the engine auto-
matically during a vehicle stop if the required conditions
are met. Releasing the brake pedal will automatically
re-start the vehicle.
Automatic Mode
The Stop/Start feature is enabled after every normal
customer engine start. It will remain in STOP/START
NOT READY until you drive forward with a vehicle
speed greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). At that time, the
system will go into STOP/START READY and if all other
conditions are met, can go into an STOP/START AUTO
STOP ACTIVE “Autostop” mode.
346 STARTING AND OPERATING