2014 Ram 2500 4WD

All Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles In 4WD AUTO And
4WD LOCK Modes Can Also Choose The
Following ESC Operating Mode. This Is The Only
Selectable ESC Operating Mode in 4WD LOW:
Full Off
This mode is intended for off-road use when ESC stabil-
ity features could inhibit vehicle maneuverability due to
trail conditions. This mode is entered by pressing and
holding the “ESC Off” switch for five seconds when the
vehicle is stopped and the engine is running. After five
seconds, the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will illuminate
and the “ESC Off” message will appear in the odometer.
Press and release the trip odometer button located on the
instrument cluster to clear this message.NOTE:
The “ESC OFF” message will display and the
audible chime will sound when the shift lever is placed
into the PARK position from any other position and then
moved out of the PARK position. This will occur even if
the message was previously cleared.
In this mode, ESC and TCS except for the “limited slip”
feature described in the TCS section are turned off until
the vehicle reaches a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At
40 mph (64 km/h) the system returns to “Partial Off”
mode, described above. When the vehicle speed drops
below 35 mph (56 km/h) the ESC system shuts off. ESC
is off at low vehicle speeds so that it will not interfere
with off-road driving but ESC function returns to provide
the stability feature at speeds above 40 mph (64 km/h).
The “ESC Off Indicator Light” will always be illuminated
when ESC is off. To turn ESC on again, momentarily
press the “ESC Off” switch. This will restore the normal
“ESC On” mode of operation.
526 STARTING AND OPERATING

“ESC Off” is the only operating mode for ESC in 4WD
LOW. Whenever the vehicle is started in 4WD LOW or
the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4WD LOCK
or NEUTRAL, to 4WD LOW, the ESC system will be in
this mode.
WARNING!
In the ESCFull Offmode, the engine torque reduc-
tion and stability features are disabled. Therefore,
the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESC is
unavailable. In an emergency evasive maneuver the
ESC system will not engage to assist in maintaining
stability. “ESC Off” mode is intended for off-
highway or off-road use only.
ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” in the instrument cluster will come on
when the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position. It should go out with the engine
running. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” comes on continuously with the engine running, a
malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this
light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the
vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at
speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem
diagnosed and corrected.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 527

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, with the enginerunning. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
5. If the transfer case is in 4WD AUTO (if equipped), press a selector button or rotate the selector switch to
shift the transfer case into the 2WD or 4WD LOCK
position.
• With manual shift transfer case, shift the transfer
case lever into NEUTRAL (N).
• With electronic shift transfer case, press and hold the
transfer case NEUTRAL (N) button. Some models
have a small, recessed Nbutton (at the center of the
transfer case switches) that must be pressed using a
ballpoint pen or similar object. Other models have a
rectangular NEUTRAL switch, below the rotary transfer case control knob. The NEUTRAL (N) indi-
cator light will blink while the shift is in progress.
The light will stop blinking (stay on solid) when the
shift to NEUTRAL (N) is complete. After the shift is
completed and the NEUTRAL (N) light stays on,
release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
6. Release the parking brake.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions) for five seconds and ensure that there is
no vehicle movement.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with automatic transmission in DRIVE or manual transmission in first gear.
10. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL. Firmly apply the parking brake. Turn OFF the engine. For vehicles
with Keyless Enter-N-Go™, press and hold the EN-
GINE START/STOP button until the engine shuts off.
610 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing
Condition Wheels
OFF the Ground 2WD Models 4WD Models
Flat Tow NONE If transmission is operable:
•Transmission in NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max speed
• 15 miles (24 km) maxdistance
(6–speed transmission)
• 30 miles (48 km) maxdistance
(8–speed transmission) See instructions in “Recreational Tow-
ing” under “Starting and Operating”
•
Automatic Transmission in PARK
• Manual Transmission in gear
( NOT NEUTRAL)
• Transfer Case in NEUTRAL (N)
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift or Dolly To w Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 671