2015 Ram 1500 towing

•If the vehicle is idled for an extended period of time,
approximately one hour or greater.
• If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank
has increased.
• 5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See Dealer —
This message will continuously display, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. Although the ve-
hicle can be started and placed in gear, the vehicle will
only operate at a maximum speed of 5 MPH. Your
vehicle will require towing, see your authorized dealer
for service.
• Engine Will Not Restart Service DEF System See
Dealer — This message will display if DEF system
issue detected is not serviced during the allowed
period. Your engine will not restart unless your vehicle
is serviced by your authorized dealer. This message
will be displayed when under 1 mile until engine will
not start and each time the vehicle is started, and will be continuously displayed. The message will be ac-
companied by a single chime. Your Malfunction Indi-
cator Light will be continuously illumined. We highly
recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer if the message appears while engine is running.
NOTE: When this message is displayed, the engine can
still be started. However, the vehicle will only operate at
a maximum speed of 5 MPH.
RAM Active Air System
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Ram Active
Air system that provides enhanced performance, espe-
cially when towing under demanding hot or high alti-
tude conditions. If the DID displays the message “Active
Airbox Service Required See Dealer”, vehicle perfor-
mance may be reduced until service is performed by an
authorized RAM dealer.
198 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

limited to, vehicle towing applications where vehicle
braking can be achieved by the internal engine power,
thereby sparing the mechanical brakes of the vehicle.
Benefits of the exhaust brake are:
•vehicle driving control
• reduced brake fade
• longer brake life
• faster cab warm-up
The exhaust brake feature will only function when the
driver toggles it on by pushing the exhaust brake button
until the Exhaust Brake Indicator is illuminated. Nor-
mal (Full Strength) exhaust brake mode is indicated by a
yellow Exhaust Brake Indicator. Once the
Exhaust Brake Indicator” is illuminated and
the vehicle is moving faster than 5 mph (8 km/h); the
exhaust brake will automatically operate when the driver
removes pressure from the accelerator pedal. Exhaust
braking is most effective when the engine RPM is higher.
Exhaust Brake Switch
228 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through underdrive first, second,
and third gears, direct fourth gear and overdrive fifth and
sixth gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range
Select (ERS) Operation” in this section for further infor-
mation) to select a lower gear range. Under these condi-
tions, using a lower gear range will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shift-
ing and heat buildup.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 237

If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operat-
ing limits, the powertrain controller will modify the
transmission shift schedule and expand the range of
torque converter clutch engagement. This is done to
prevent transmission damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot or is in danger
of overheating, the “Transmission Temperature Warning
Light” may illuminate and the transmission may operate
differently until the transmission cools down.
NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle at low speeds (such as towing a trailer up a steep
grade, or in stop-and-go traffic) during hot weather. In
these conditions, torque converter slip can impose a
significant additional heat load on the cooling system.
Downshifting the transmission to the lowest possible
gear (when climbing a grade), or shifting to NEUTRAL
(when stopped in heavy traffic) can help to reduce this
excess heat generation. During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm (refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” in this section). On Pickup models with 68RFE
transmission, top overdrive gear is also inhibited until
the transmission fluid is warm, and during extremely
cold temperatures (-16°F [-27°C] or below), operation
may briefly be limited to first and direct gears only. On
trucks with AS69RC transmission, fifth and sixth gears
may be inhibited briefly on cold starts below 41°F (5°C),
and during very cold temperatures (-4°F [-20°C] or
below), operation may briefly be limited to third gear
only. During this condition, the ability of the vehicle to
238 STARTING AND OPERATING

•The engine coolant has reached an adequate tempera-
ture.
• The vehicle speed is sufficiently high.
• The driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW/HAUL switch to activate TOW/
HAUL 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 trans-
mission will automatically downshift (for engine brak-
ing) when the throttle is closed and/or 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.
TOW/HAUL Switch
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

Truck models with manual transmission are equipped
with a clutch interlocking ignition system. The clutch
pedal must be fully pressed to start the vehicle.
Fully press the clutch pedal before shifting gears. As you
release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator
pedal.
This transmission has a “creeper” first gear which should
be used to start from a standing position when carrying a
payload or towing a trailer. Damage to the clutch can result
from starting in second or third gear with a loaded vehicle.
An unloaded vehicle may be launched in second gear. Use
each gear in numerical order – do not skip a gear.
NOTE:When loaded, pulling a trailer or on a grade, the
truck should always start in first gear and not skip gears.
Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds
To utilize your manual transmission efficiently for both
fuel economy and performance, it should be upshifted as
listed in recommended shift speed chart. Shift at the
vehicle speeds listed for acceleration. When heavily
loaded or pulling a trailer these recommended up-shift
speeds may not apply.
Maximum Recommended Up-Shift Speeds
Gear Selection 1 to 2 2 to 33 to 44 to 5 5 to 6
Maximum Speed 7 mph
(11 km/h) 15 mph
(24 km/h) 25 mph
(40 km/h) 40 mph
(64 km/h) 45 mph
(72 km/h)
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 245

Mileage or time passed (which-ever comes first):
7,500
15,000
22,500
30,000
37,500
45,000
52,500
60,000
67,500
75,000
82,500
90,000
97,500
105,000 112,500
120,000
127,500
135,000
142,500
150,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Or Kilometers:
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
84,000
96,000
108,000
120,000
132,000
144,000
156,000
168,000
180,000
192,000
204,000
216,000
228,000
240,000
Inspect the front and rear axle
surfaces. If gear oil leakage is
suspected, check the fluid level. If
using your vehicle for police, taxi,
fleet, off-road or frequent trailer
towing change the axle fluid. *
Inspect the transfer case fluid
(4x4), change for any of the fol-
lowing: police, taxi, fleet, or fre-
quent trailer towing. XXXX X
Change the transfer case fluid
(4x4). XX
328 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Mileage or time passed (which-ever comes first):
7,500
15,000
22,500
30,000
37,500
45,000
52,500
60,000
67,500
75,000
82,500
90,000
97,500
105,000 112,500
120,000
127,500
135,000
142,500
150,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Or Kilometers:
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
84,000
96,000
108,000
120,000
132,000
144,000
156,000
168,000
180,000
192,000
204,000
216,000
228,000
240,000
Change the manual transmission
fluid if using your vehicle for any
of the following: police, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing. XX
Replace Crankcase Ventilation
Filter (CCV). XX
Flush and replace power steering
fluid. X
Flush and replace engine
coolant. *** X
Adjust valve lash clearance. X
330 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE