2014 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab wheel

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
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▫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
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▫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

When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make it diffi-
cult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
On four-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the transfer
case is in a drive position.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply the parking brake
fully when parked to guard against vehicle move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Your vehicle could move and injure you and others
if it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to
move the shift lever out of PARK with the brake
pedal released. Make sure the transmission is in
PARK before leaving the vehicle.
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
(Continued)
302 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
NOTE: To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
ERS (-) switch down. The transmission will shift to the
range from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
CAUTION!
When using ERS for engine braking while descend-
ing steep grades, be careful not to overspeed the
engine. Apply the brakes as needed to prevent en-
gine overspeed.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fifth and sixth gears). The trans-
mission will automatically shift into Overdrive if the
following conditions are present:
• The shift lever is in the DRIVE position.
• The transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature.
• The engine coolant has reached an adequate tempera-
ture.
• Vehicle speed is sufficiently high.
• The TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated.
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting occurs,
press the TOW/HAUL switch to activate TOW/HAUL
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STARTING AND OPERATING 309

mode. This will improve performance and reduce the
potential for transmission overheating or failure due to
excessive shifting. When operating in TOW/HAUL mode,
transmission upshifts are delayed, and the transmission
will automatically downshift (for engine braking) during
steady braking maneuvers.The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/HAUL mode
has been activated. Pressing the switch a second time
restores normal operation. Normal operation is always
the default at engine start-up. If TOW/HAUL mode is
desired, the switch must be pressed each time the engine
is started.
WARNING!
Do not use the “TOW/HAUL” feature when driving
in icy or slippery conditions. The increased engine
braking can cause the rear wheels to slide, and the
vehicle to swing around with the possible loss of
vehicle control, which may cause an accident possi-
bly resulting in personal injury or death.
TOW/HAUL Switch
310 STARTING AND OPERATING

Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during
some accelerations, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage (and
66RFE-equipped trucks will not shift to sixth gear),
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are
warm [usually after 1 to 3 miles (2 to 5 km) of driving].
Because engine speed is higher when the torque con-
verter clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the
transmission is not shifting properly when cold. This is
normal. Using the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control, when the transmission is sufficiently warm,
will demonstrate that the transmission is able to shift
into and out of Overdrive.
• If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds after starting the
engine.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED
Four-wheel drive trucks are equipped with either a
manually shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted
transfer case. Refer to the operating instructions for your
transfer case, located in this section for further informa-
tion.
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