2014 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab 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 287

Control Setting Suggestions For Various Weather Conditions
Operating Tips Chart
288 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................294
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .294
▫ Automatic Transmission ................295
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F or 29°C) .................295
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................295
▫ After Starting ....................... .296
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . . .297
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............297
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............299 ▫
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .300
▫ Six–Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped ........................ .300
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED ...........................311
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case —
If Equipped ......................... .312
▫ Shifting Procedure — Manually Shifted Transfer
Case ............................. .314
▫ Transfer Case Position Indicator Light ......315
5

▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................316
▫ Shifting Procedure .....................320
 LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL .............322
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........323
▫ Acceleration ........................ .323
▫ Traction ........................... .323
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............324
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................324
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................324
 POWER STEERING .....................326
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............327
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .328
BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .330
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System ........331
▫ Hydraulic Brake Assist ..................332
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .333
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............333
▫
Traction Control System (TCS) — If Equipped . .334
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) — If Equipped .......334
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) —
If Equipped ........................ .338
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................341
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) — If Equipped . . .343
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............344
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .344
290 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........348
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........349
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........351
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........356
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .356
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................357
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .359
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .359
▫ Tire Types .......................... .360
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............361
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............362
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .364
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................365 ▫
Life Of Tire ........................ .365
▫ Replacement Tires .....................366
 SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .367
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......368
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....370
▫ Dual Rear Wheels .....................371
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .372
▫ Base System — If Equipped ..............375
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ...........375
▫ Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS) Chassis
Cab — If Equipped ....................379
▫ General Information ...................380
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 291

FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................380
▫ 5.7L Engines ........................ .380
▫ 6.4L Engine ......................... .381
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................381
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............382
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......382
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................383
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................383
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................384
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............385
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .385
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............386
VEHICLE LOADING ....................387
▫ Certification Label ....................387
 TRAILER TOWING .....................389
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............389
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............393
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ........................... .394
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............395
▫ Towing Requirements ..................396
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .405
 SNOWPLOW ........................ .406
▫ Before Plowing ...................... .407
▫ Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . . .408
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached ........................... .408
▫ Operating Tips ...................... .409
▫ General Maintenance ...................409
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................410
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .410 ▫
Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models .............................411
▫ Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .412
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STARTING AND OPERATING 293

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.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING