2014 Ram 1500 ECO mode

Defrost Mode
Air is directed through the windshield and side
window demist outlets. Use the DEFROST mode
with maximum blower and warm temperature settings
for best windshield and side window defrosting.
NOTE: The air conditioning compressor operates in MIX
and DEFROST, or a blend of these modes even if the A/C
button is not pressed. This dehumidifies the air to help
dry the windshield. To improve fuel economy, use these
modes only when necessary.
Recirculation Control
Press the Recirculation Control button to
choose between outside air intake or recircula-
tion 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.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 365

•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.
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.
366 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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. 7. Blower Control
Blower control is used to regulate the amount of air
forced through the climate system. There are seven
blower speeds available. Adjusting the blower will cause
automatic mode to switch to manual operation. The
speeds can be selected using either hard-keys or soft-keys
as follows:
Hard-Key
The blower speed increases as you turn the control
clockwise from the lowest blower setting. The blower
speed decreases as you turn the knob counterclockwise.
Soft-Key
Use the small blower icon to reduce the blower setting
and the large blower icon to increase the blower setting.
Blower can also be selected by pressing the blower bar
area between the icons.
370 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

8. Climate Control OFF Button
Press and release this button to turn the Climate Control
ON/OFF.
9. Temperature Control Down Button
Push the button for cooler temperature settings. On the
touchscreen, slide the temperature bar towards the blue
arrow soft-key for cooler temperature settings.
10. Temperature Control Up Button
Push the button for warmer temperature settings. On the
touchscreen, slide the temperature bar towards the blue
arrow soft-key for cooler temperature settings.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 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.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 371

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.
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. OAT coolant (conforming to MS-12106) is recommended.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for proper coolant 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
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 379

▫Operation .......................... .469
 AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM — POWER WAGON
MODELS ONLY (IF EQUIPPED) ............469
 STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER
WAGON ONLY ....................... .472
 SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER WAGON
ONLY.............................. .474
▫ Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics ...................... .474
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........477
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) ............................ .478
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... .481
▫ Driving Through Water .................484
▫ Airing Down For Off-Road Driving .........487▫
Vehicle Recovery ..................... .487
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................491
 LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL .............492
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........493
▫ Acceleration ........................ .493
▫ Traction ........................... .494
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............494
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................494
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................495
 OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ...............496
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................497
 WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY — (IF
EQUIPPED) ......................... .498
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 385

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 the ignition of a vehicle equipped with keyless
Enter-N-Go 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. Cycle the ignition to the START position and
release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, cycle the ignition to the OFF position,
wait five seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
390 STARTING AND OPERATING

4. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is nolonger detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
NOTE: Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation —
Eight-Speed Transmission
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) switches allow the
driver to limit the highest available gear when the
transmission is in DRIVE. For example, if you shift the
transmission into 3 (third gear), the transmission will not
shift above third gear (except to prevent engine over-
speed), but will shift down into second and first gears
normally.
You can switch between DRIVE and ERS mode at any
vehicle speed. When the gear selector is in DRIVE, the
transmission will operate automatically, shifting between
all available gears. Tapping the GEAR- switch (on the
steering wheel) will activate ERS mode, display the
current gear in the instrument cluster, and maintain that
gear as the top available gear. Once in ERS mode, tapping
the GEAR- or GEAR+ switch will change the top avail-
able gear.
410 STARTING AND OPERATING