2014 Ram 2500 Owner's Manual

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 increasethe front blower speed. Do not use the Recirculation
mode without A/C for long periods, as fogging may
occur.
NOTE:
Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC) will au-
tomatically adjust the climate control settings to reduce
or eliminate window fogging on the front windshield.
When this occurs, recirculation will be unavailable.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow, can cause
odor, and if they enter the plenum they could plug the
water drains. In Winter months make sure the air intake
is clear of ice, slush and snow.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 375

Operating Tips Chart
376 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................384
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .384
▫ Automatic Transmission ................385
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go™ ..................385
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .385
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F
Or 29°C) ......................... .387
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................387
▫ After Starting ....................... .388
 STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ......389▫
Automatic Mode ..................... .389
▫ Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not AUTO
STOP............................. .390
▫ To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode . .391
▫ To Manually Turn Off The Stop Start System . .392
▫ To Manually Turn On The Stop Start System . .393
▫ System Malfunction ....................393
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .393
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............394
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............396
5

▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .396
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped ........................ .397
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
1500 Models Only (If Equipped) ...........406
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 2500/3500
Models Only ....................... .418
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED ........................ .429
▫
Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped . .429
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................433
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................439 ▫
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................444
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (1500 MODELS ONLY)
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .451
▫ Description ......................... .451
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................455
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................456
▫ Operation .......................... .456
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/3500 MODELS
ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED ..................458
▫ Description ......................... .458
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................459
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................461
378 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Operation .......................... .461
 AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM — POWER WAGON
MODELS ONLY — (IF EQUIPPED) ..........461
 STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER
WAGON ONLY ....................... .464
 SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER WAGON
ONLY.............................. .466
▫ Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics ...................... .466
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........469
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) ............................ .470
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... .473
▫ Driving Through Water .................476
▫ Airing Down For Off-Road Driving .........478▫
Vehicle Recovery ..................... .479
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................483
 LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL .............484
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........485
▫ Acceleration ........................ .485
▫ Traction ........................... .485
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............486
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................486
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................486
 OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ...............488
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................488
 WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON
ONLY — (IF EQUIPPED) .................490
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 379

▫Things To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . .490
▫ Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . .492
▫ Winch Accessories ....................494
▫ Operating Your Winch ..................495
▫ Rigging Techniques ....................507
 POWER STEERING — 1500 MODELS ........509
 POWER STEERING — 2500/3500 MODELS . . . .510
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check — 2500/3500
Models ............................511
 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L/6.4L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED ..................512
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .512
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .515
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System ........515▫
Hydraulic Brake Assist — 2500/3500 Models
Only (Except Power Wagon) ..............517
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .517
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............517
▫
Traction Control System (TCS) — If Equipped . .518
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) — If Equipped . . . .518
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) — If Equipped .......519
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) —
If Equipped ........................ .523
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC OFF Indicator Light ............527
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) — If Equipped . . .528
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............529
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .529
380 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........533
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........534
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........535
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........540
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .540
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................541
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .543
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .543
▫ Tire Types .......................... .544
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............545
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............546
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .548
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................548 ▫
Life Of Tire ........................ .549
▫ Replacement Tires .....................550
 SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .551
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......552
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....554
▫ Directional Tires — If Equipped ...........555
▫ Dual Rear Wheels — If Equipped ..........555
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .557
▫ Base System ........................ .560
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ...........562
▫ Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS) 3500
Series Trucks ........................ .566
▫ General Information ...................567
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 381

FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................568
▫ 3.6L/6.4L Engine ..................... .568
▫ 5.7L Engines ........................ .568
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................569
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............569
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......570
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................570
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................571
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................571
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............572
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) —
IF EQUIPPED ........................ .573
▫ E-85 General Information ...............573 ▫
Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................574
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................574
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .............575
▫ Starting ........................... .575
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .576
▫ Replacement Parts ....................576
▫ Maintenance ....................... .576
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .577
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............579
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................579
▫ Certification Label ....................579
 TRAILER TOWING .....................581
382 STARTING AND OPERATING