2014 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................390
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .390
▫ Automatic Transmission ................391
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go™ ..................391
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .391
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C) ................393
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................393
▫ After Starting ....................... .394
 STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ......395▫
Automatic Mode ..................... .395
▫ Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not AUTO
STOP............................. .396
▫ To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode . .396
▫ To Manually Turn Off The Stop Start System . .398
▫ To Manually Turn On The Stop Start System . .399
▫ System Malfunction ....................399
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .399
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............400
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............402
5

▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .403
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .403
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 1500 Models
Only (If Equipped) ....................412
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 2500/3500
Models Only ....................... .425
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .436
▫
Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped . .436
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................440
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................447 ▫
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................452
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (1500 MODELS ONLY)
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .459
▫ Description ......................... .459
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................463
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................464
▫ Operation .......................... .464
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/3500 MODELS
ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED ..................466
▫ Description ......................... .466
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................467
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................469
384 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫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
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STARTING AND OPERATING 385

▫Things To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . .498
▫ Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . .501
▫ Winch Accessories ....................503
▫ Operating Your Winch ..................504
▫ Rigging Techniques ....................516
 POWER STEERING — 1500 MODELS ........518
 POWER STEERING — 2500/3500 MODELS . . . .519
▫ Power Steering Fluid
Check — 2500/3500 Models .............520
 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L/6.4L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED ..................521
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .521
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .524
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System ........524▫
Hydraulic Brake Assist — 2500/3500 Models Only
(Except Power Wagon) ..................526
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .526
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............527
▫
Traction Control System (TCS) — If Equipped . .527
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) — If Equipped . . . .528
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) — If Equipped .......529
▫ Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) — If Equipped ..................532
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................536
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) — If Equipped . . .538
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............539
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .539
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........542
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........544
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........545
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........550
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .550
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................552
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .553
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .553
▫ Tire Types .......................... .554
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............555
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............556
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .558
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................559 ▫
Life Of Tire ........................ .559
▫ Replacement Tires .....................560
 SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .561
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......562
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....564
▫ Directional Tires — If Equipped ...........565
▫ Dual Rear Wheels — If Equipped ..........565
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .567
▫ Base System ........................ .569
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ...........571
▫ Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS) 3500
Series Trucks ........................ .575
▫ General Information ...................577
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 387

FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................577
▫ 3.6L/6.4L Engine ..................... .577
▫ 5.7L Engines ........................ .577
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................578
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............578
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......579
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................580
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................580
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................581
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............582
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .582
▫ E-85 General Information ...............582 ▫
Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................584
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................584
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .............585
▫ Starting ........................... .585
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .585
▫ Replacement Parts ....................586
▫ Maintenance ....................... .586
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .586
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............588
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................588
▫ Certification Label ....................588
 TRAILER TOWING .....................591
388 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Common Towing Definitions .............591
▫ Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum
Trailer Weight ...................... .594
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... .595
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............599
▫ Towing Requirements ..................600
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .610
 SNOWPLOW ........................ .612▫
1500 Models Only .....................612
▫ 2500/3500 Models Only .................613
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................617
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .617
▫ Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .618
▫ Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .619
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STARTING AND OPERATING 389

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