2014 Ram 1500 heating

General Maintenance
Snowplows should be maintained in accordance with the
plow manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep all snowplow electrical connections and battery
terminals clean and free of corrosion.
When plowing snow, to avoid transmission and drive-
train damage, the following precautions should be ob-
served.
•Operate with transfer case in 4L when plowing small
or congested areas where speeds are not likely to
exceed 15 mph (24 km/h). At higher speeds operate in
4H. •
Vehicles with automatic transmissions should use 4L
range when plowing deep or heavy snow for extended
periods of time to avoid transmission overheating.
• Do not shift the transmission unless the engine has
returned to idle and wheels have stopped. Make a
practice of stepping on the brake pedal while shifting
the transmission.
616 STARTING AND OPERATING

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
upper switch bank just below the radio.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle
speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 629

pressing the accelerator. Use the least amount of accel-
erator pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking
motion, without spinning the wheels or racing the en-
gine.
NOTE:For trucks equipped with 8-speed automatic
transmission: Shifts between DRIVE and REVERSE can
only be achieved at wheel speeds of 5 mph (8 km/h) or
less. Whenever the transmission remains in NEUTRAL
for more than two seconds, you must press the brake
pedal to engage DRIVE or REVERSE.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: Press the ESC Off switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Offmode,
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control” in “Starting And Operating” for further infor-
mation. Once the vehicle has been freed, press the ESC
Off switch again to restore ESC Onmode.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE/2nd gear and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drive-
train damage may result.
(Continued)
676 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow
hooks.
NOTE: For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of
damage to the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle.
Chains may break, causing serious injury or death.
• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow
hooks. Tow straps may become disengaged, caus-
ing serious injury.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 677

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately. To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•
Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
708 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)........189
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..............532
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ......210
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . . .297
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Setup
Menu ............................... .297
EVIC Messages ........................ .297
Selectable Menu Items ....................323
Emergency Brake ........................ .521
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ................675
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................629
Jump Starting ......................... .671
Tow Hooks ........................... .677
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........694
Engine ................................ .691
Air Cleaner .......................... .701
Block Heater ......................... .399
Break-In Recommendations ................119 Compartment
......................... .690
Compartment Identification ................690
Coolant (Antifreeze) .....................758
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................121
Flooded, Starting ...................... .393
Fuel Requirements ..................... .577
Jump Starting ......................... .671
Oil................................. .697
Oil Filler Cap ......................... .699
Oil Selection .......................... .698
Oil Synthetic ......................... .700
Overheating .......................... .629
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .699
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ...................699
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............79
Entry System, Illuminated ....................23
Ethanol ............................... .578
Event Data Recorder ........................82
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................... .121
788 INDEX

Onboard Diagnostic System..................693
Operating Precautions ..................... .693
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) .............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors ...................139
Overdrive .............................. .422
Overdrive OFF Switch ..................... .422
Overhead Console ........................ .212
Overheating, Engine ...................... .293
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .............4
Paint Care ............................. .725
Panic Alarm ..............................28
Parking Brake ........................... .521
ParkSense® System, Rear ....................193
Passing Light ........................... .180
Passive Entry .............................42
Pedals, Adjustable ........................ .187
Personal Settings ......................... .327
Pets ...................................119 Pets, Transporting
.........................119
Pickup Box ............................. .248
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ..........546
Power Distribution Center (Fuses) ................734
Door Locks ............................39
Mirrors ............................. .142
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ...........227
Seats ............................... .147
Sliding Rear Window ....................245
Steering ............................. .518
Sunroof ............................. .224
Windows ..............................46
Power Steering Fluid ...................... .760
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts ................68
Pretensioners Seat Belts ..............................66
Programmable Electronic Features .............327
10
INDEX 795